WASHINGTON — Consumer spending rose by the smallest amount in three months during April, government data showed Friday, in a further sign of erosion in spending momentum due to higher gasoline prices.

Consumer spending rose 0.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department estimated.

Meanwhile, personal incomes rose 0.4 percent in April. Income has risen for seven straight months.

When adjusted for inflation, the increases in April were much more modest.

Adjusted after-tax incomes were flat in April for the second straight month, and spending increased 0.1 percent for the second straight month.

Adjusted for inflation, spending on durable goods and nondurable goods was flat in April. Spending on services rose 0.1 percent.

Consumer spending is the single largest contributor to US growth, accounting for as much as two-thirds of economic activity. Consumer spending slowed to a 2.2 percent rate in the first quarter, leading to a moderate 1.8 percent increase in gross domestic product.

Aprils figures came in mixed in terms of market expectations. Spending rose less than the 0.5 percent expected, while income growth matched the forecast of economists surveyed by MarketWatch.

For economists, the big question is: Will consumers increase spending in coming months? The consumer sector has to be an important driver for GDP growth as government stimulus fades.

Gasoline prices have eased slightly in recent weeks. which may help consumers.

I would not be surprised if second-quarter consumption was not even a modest 2 percent, said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors.

Consumers are desperately trying to keep up, but they have essentially been running in place, Naroff said.

That would mean a growth rate that is similar to the first quarters disappointing 1.8 percent pace, he added.

Wages and salary income, which is key for consumer spending, increased 0.4 percent in April after rising 0.3 percent in March.

With spending matching incomes in April, personal savings remained steady at 4.9 percent of disposable income. This matched the lowest savings rate since October 2008.