U.S. consumer credit increased in April but a modest increase in a measure of credit card usage suggested households are still working on reducing their debt load, which could hobble consumer spending growth.
Total consumer installment credit advanced by $11.1 billion to $2.8 trillion, Federal Reserve data showed on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected consumer credit to rise $12 billion in April.
(Click here to track the U.S. stock market reaction to this economic report.)
Revolving credit, which mostly measures credit-card use, rebounded $682.3 million,failing to recoup March's $906.4 million decline.
Nonrevolving credit, which includes auto loans as well as student loans made by the government, increased $10.4 billion in April. That followed a $9.3 billion increase in March.
Analysts say credit growth is being mainly driven by student loans.