Consumer Spending in 2026: Income Growth, Tax Refunds, and a Selective Path Forward

Consumer Spending 2026

The consumer backdrop entering 2026 is best described as measured rather than exuberant. Data from Bank of America Institute, paired with commentary from major investment banks, suggest a consumer that remains resilient but increasingly selective. Income growth is present across cohorts, spending activity stabilized through late 2025, and tax refunds are expected to provide a […]