The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index rose to 3.53 in September, from a reading of 3.27 the previous month, based largely on the strength of the housing market. The index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, attributed its growth primarily to the nearly 11% increase in home prices, which offset weakness in other areas. Besides home prices, the index is also based on tax burden, initial unemployment claims and real wages.