U.S. consumers increased their spending in February, even though inflation accelerated, a sign of economic resilience.

Personal income increased at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.6%, after climbing an unrevised 1% in January, the U.S. Commerce Department said today. Personal consumption, or spending, grew 0.6%, after an unrevised 0.5% rise in January.

Economists had expected a 0.3% increase in both income and spending.

Disposable personal income — income after taxes — rose by 0.5%, following an unrevised 0.8% increase in January.

Today’s data showed spending on durable goods, items such as cars and appliances that are meant to last three years or more, was flat in February, after increasing 1% the previous month.

Spending on nondurable goods such as food and clothing also idled, after a 0.2% climb in January. Meanwhile, spending on services jumped by 1%, following a 0.6% increase.

A price index for personal-consumption expenditures, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3% in February compared to the prior month, following a 0.2% gain in January. In annual terms, the price index for personal-consumption expenditures minus food and energy climbed 2.4% in February — the highest level since September. The year-over-year climb in January for this core inflation gauge was 2.2%.

The Federal Reserve watches the core PCE price index closely for signs of problematic inflation. The central bank’s so-called comfort zone is considered to be 1% to 2%.

The U.S. Commerce Dept. also reported that personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income was negative 1.2% in February, marking the 23rd straight month the savings yardstick has showed red. It was negative 1.2% in January.