Spending by consumers climbed in November as Americans pushed aside the threat of higher taxes, buying gifts for the holidays and making up for shopping lost to superstorm Sandy.

Purchases increased 0.4 percent last month after a 0.1 percent drop in October that was smaller than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed Friday in Washington. Incomes rebounded after being depressed in October by lost wages due to Sandy.

Incomes climbed 0.6 percent in November, the most since February, after a 0.1 percent increase the prior month, Friday's spending figures also showed.

- Bloomberg News