Consumers more cautious about spending in April

Consumers don't appear confident enough in the economy to open their wallets more freely.

Their spending stalled in April. Without stronger job creation and higher pay, people are less likely to up their spending in the months ahead and invigorate the recovery.

The flat level for consumer spending was the weakest showing in seven months, according to the Commerce Department report. Personal incomes rose 0.4 percent, in line with expectations but not fast enough to help generate real growth.

Falling gas prices and cheaper utility bills could make people feel better about spending more over the summer. So could historically low mortgage rates. That …