U.S. consumers have been curbing their spending in response to high prices and a worsening economic outlook, according to consumer finance company Synchrony Financial. Americans have been accumulating more debt amid strain in their finances,

An inflation gauge closely watched by the Federal Reserve remained high last month even before the impact of most tariffs has been felt.

Consumer spending was weaker than expected again in February while a key inflation metric picked up, in a double whammy for the economy before the brunt of tariffs.