When it comes to the U.S. economy, one can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Similar to last year, unseasonably cold weather and lingering caution among budget-conscious consumers have dampened economic activity since the first of the year. However, as we head into the second quarter, I expect we’ll see that the consumer is actually more in the driver’s seat compared to this time last year. Lower energy costs, rising home equity, job and income gains and increased buying power from the stronger U.S. dollar will all continue to positively contribute to greater consumer spending ability — a key factor for further economic gains.

Other positive factors that will continue to influence improved growth in consumer spending include growth in real disposable income, which has grown 4 percent on a year-over-year basis ending in February — the fastest rate seen in two years — and stock market gains that are about 12 percent above this time last year. Additionally, housing price appreciation and decreased household debt burdens are at their lowest in at least 35 years, contributing to bigger gains in consumer confidence.

Economic expansion in the United States is expected to continue, but the burden of carrying the world economy on its shoulders could be an obstacle on the path toward stronger U.S. gains.

This month’s full report includes these highlights:

Retail Sales

Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants) reversed course and increased 0.5 percent in March after dropping 0.4 percent in February.

Consumer Sentiment

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index beat expectations in the first half of April, increasing to 95.9 from March’s average of 93.

Consumer Prices

The March headline Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent between March and February. This was the second positive reading in five months.

Gross Domestic Product

The third estimate of fourth-quarter GDP reflected no change to the 2.2 percent rate from the second estimate.

Housing

Single family starts rebounded by 4.4 percent to 618,000 units in March and homebuilding is off to a good start. Weather appeared to play a negative role earlier this year not only on starts but on completions.

Employment

Job growth slowed in March as private payrolls rose an anemic 129,000. Overall employment (public and private sectors combined) increased 126,000 in March.

Retail Jobs and Openings

Total retail employment across all industry segments increased 25,900 to 15.6 million in March. There were 463,000 job openings in the retail industry on the last business day of February.

Personal Income and Spending

Personal income rose by 0.4 percent in February while personal consumption inched up only 0.1 percent.

Chicago Fed National Activity Index

The economy was growing even slower last month according to the Chicago Fed National Activity Index which recorded activity dropped to -0.42 in March from -0.18 in February.

Download the full report (PDF)