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WASHINGTON — American consumers boosted their spending by just 0.1% in August, the smallest gain in six months, even as their incomes rose at a solid pace.

The U.S. economy grew at a modest pace through much of July and August, with companies remaining upbeat despite disruption caused by international trade disputes, a Federal Reserve survey found.

Consumer spending rose a healthy 0.3% in June, slightly below the strong gains of the past three months, while incomes turned in a solid 0.4% gain for the fourth straight month.

U.S. consumer spending in the first quarter was even weaker than previously reported on lower outlays for services while business investment was revised higher, leaving the pace of economic growth at a still-solid 3.1%.

The Commerce Department said May 31 that consumer spending increased 0.3% in April after a 1.1% surge in March that had been the largest increase in nearly a decade. Personal income growth, which had been lagging in recent months, jumped 0.5% in April.

U.S. consumer spending rebounded in March while the Federal Reserve’s preferred underlying inflation gauge eased to a one-year low, reinforcing the central bank’s patient stance on interest rates even as the economy’s main engine holds up.

U.S. consumer spending in January was short of projections while inflation eased, an early read on the economy in the first quarter that may add to concerns about the outlook.

Refunds have averaged $3,602, and amount to the biggest incoming cash flow day of the year for 29% of recipients, according to the institute’s study of bank and credit card customer data from 2015-17, before the 2017 Republican tax law took effect.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer spending tumbled 0.5% in December, the biggest decline in nine years, as the holiday shopping season ended in disappointment. Meanwhile, incomes rose sharply in December but edged down in January.

The U.S. growth outlook hangs more than ever on American consumers’ resilience amid stock market swoons and trade-war tensions, but key data on their spending — the biggest part of the economy — will be missing due to the government shutdown.