Consumer spending rises 0.4 percent in April

WASHINGTON - Growth in retail sales slowed sharply in April as consumers eased up their spending after a busy March.

The Commerce Department says retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month, better than the 0.2 percent increase economists had expected but far below the 2.1 percent surge in March. Excluding autos, retail sales were up 0.4 percent, matching expectations.

The overall gain marked the seventh straight monthly increase, offering hope that consumer spending will keep supporting the economy in the months ahead.