NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Personal income posted its largest gain in half a year in November and spending by individuals rose for a second straight month, according to government data released Wednesday.
The Commerce Department said income climbed by 0.4%, or $49.7 billion, during the month, after an upwardly revised 0.3% rise in October. That was the biggest gain since May, when it rose 1.5%. The figure was still below a consensus estimate of a 0.5% rise collected by Briefing.com.
Spending by individuals rose 0.5% last month, or $47.9 billion, below analysts' expectations of a 0.7% hike. Personal spending was up 0.6% in October.
Personal savings totaled $521.1 billion in November, or 4.7% of disposable income, compared to $516.7 billion in October.
The report came one day after the government said that gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity, grew 2.2% in the third quarter.
Tuesday's report showed that consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the nation's economy, was weaker than previously thought. 
| Index | Last | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 32,627.97 | -234.33 | -0.71% |
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| Treasuries | 1.73 | 0.00 | 0.12% |
| Company | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Motor Co | 8.29 | 0.05 | 0.61% |
| Advanced Micro Devic... | 54.59 | 0.70 | 1.30% |
| Cisco Systems Inc | 47.49 | -2.44 | -4.89% |
| General Electric Co | 13.00 | -0.16 | -1.22% |
| Kraft Heinz Co | 27.84 | -2.20 | -7.32% |
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