Consumer Credit Drops Despite Higher Auto Sales

For the first time in nearly a year, U.S. consumer credit outstandings dropped unexpectedly in July. The decline of $3.28 billion trailed a revised $9.8 billion jump in June that the Federal Reserve said Monday was bigger than first estimated.

Revolving credit, including credit card spending, decreased $4.82 billion, which was the most since April 2011. Non-revolving debt, like that for cars or college tuition, rose $1.55 billion in July, which marked the smallest growth since an August 2011 decline; in June, non-revolving debt rose $13.1 billion.

According to Ward’s Automotive Group, cars and light trucks sold reached a 14.05 million annual rate following a 14.3-million-unit pace in June. In August, auto sales were stronger than they’d been in three years.