The “advance” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2017 grew at a weaker-than-expected 0.7 percent annualized rate. The biggest positive contribution came from private domestic investment, while consumer spending posted the slowest growth since the end of the Great Recession based on incomplete data. Weak consumer spending, in spite of … [Read more...]
May 2017: Business Indicators
The “third” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 grew at a 2.1 percent annualized rate, up by 0.2 percentage point from the “second” estimate. According to more complete source data, consumer spending boosted real GDP more than expected. U.S. nonfarm employment added a less-than-expected 98,000 jobs in March. The unemployment rate, … [Read more...]
April 2017: Business Indicators
The “second” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 grew at a 1.9 percent annualized rate, remaining unchanged from the “advance” estimate. According to more complete source data, consumer spending increased more strongly than previously thought, but increases in state and local government spending and nonresidential fixed investment … [Read more...]
March 2017: Business Indicators
The “advanced” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased at a 1.9 percent annualized rate. Although the real GDP growth rate decelerated compared to last quarter’s 3.5 percent increase, the underlying categories showed more strength. Consumer spending stayed robust and business investment finally moved out of a negative or … [Read more...]
February 2017: Business Indicators
U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2016 increased at a 3.5 percent annualized rate. The surprising upswing of real GDP in the third quarter reflects a surge in agricultural (soybean) exports and a rebound in business inventories. The consumer price index also showed the largest jump in two years at 1.7 percent. November housing starts fell … [Read more...]
January 2017: Business Indicators
U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2016 grew at a 3.2 percent annualized rate instead of the 2.9 percent from the advanced estimate. The upward revision reflected higher consumer spending and net exports than previously reported, which were partly offset by smaller-than-expected fixed investment and state and local government spending. The … [Read more...]
December 2016: Business Indicators
U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2016 expanded at a 2.9 percent annualized growth rate based on the advanced estimate. This unusual and surprising jump after three quarters of sluggish growth reflects a surge in agricultural (soybean) exports and a rebound in business inventories, which bring doubt about continued strong growth in the fourth … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: November 2016
The U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a 1.4 percent annual rate in the second quarter of 2016, revised up by 0.3 percentage point from the second estimate. The upward revisions mainly reflected an increase in nonresidential fixed investment, which decreased in the previous estimate. Large gains in consumer spending contributed to a rise in real GDP, while cutback … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: October 2016
The U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a 1.1 annual rate in the second quarter of 2016, The increase in real GDP was mainly due to surprisingly large gains in consumer spending, while cutbacks in private business investment contributed to U.S. economic growth remaining stuck in the slow lane. In spite of lackluster business investment, U.S. nonfarm employment added … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: September 2016
The advanced estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2016 indicated a much weaker-than-expected growth of 1.2 percent. In addition, the first quarter’s real GDP growth was revised downward to 0.8 percent from 1.1 percent. Private investment, again, contributed negatively to U.S. economic expansion, falling by 9.7 percent from the previous … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: August 2016
The third estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2016 was revised upward to 1.1 percent annualized growth rate from the 0.8 percent second estimate. The revision occurred as more complete data showed that exports increased more than previously thought. Nevertheless, the stronger dollar, cheaper oil and a weaker global economy still … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: July 2016
The second estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2016 was revised upward from the first estimate of 0.5 to 0.8 percent annualized growth rate. This revision mainly reflects upward adjustments in private inventory investment, residential fixed investment and exports and a downward adjustment in imports. The stronger dollar, cheaper oil and … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: June 2016
The advanced estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2016 experienced an expected, but disappointing, gain of an annualized 0.5 percent. The weak growth mainly reflects a large 5.9 percent decrease in nonresidential investment. Consumer spending still continues to provide the main driver of real GDP growth, although it decelerated its upward … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: May 2016
The third estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2015 was revised upward again from the second estimate of 1.0 percent to a 1.4 percent annualized growth rate. This revision mainly reflects an increase in consumer spending, which is partly offset by a downward revision of private inventory investment. The stronger dollar, cheap oil and a … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: April 2016
The second estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2015 was revised up from the first (advanced) estimate of 0.7 to 1.0 percent annualized growth rate. The revision occurred because private inventory investment experienced a smaller decline than estimated in the previous month. U.S. nonfarm employment added a more-than-expected 242,000 jobs … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: March 2016
The advance estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2015 reports a weak 0.7 percent annualized growth rate. Overall, the U.S. economy increased its size 1.8 percent year-over-year in 2015, down from 2.5 percent year-over-year in 2014. U.S. nonfarm employment continued to grow by adding a less-than-expected 151,000 jobs in January 2016. Even … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: February 2016
The third estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2015 reports a 2.0 percent annualized growth rate, revised down from the 2.1 percent rate for the second estimate. Strong consumer spending still remained a main contributor to U.S. economic growth in the third quarter. The continuing Chinese economic slowdown disrupted the U.S. stock market … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: January 2016
The second estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2015 reports a 2.1 percent annualized growth rate, revised up from 1.5 percent in the first estimate. The revision mostly reflected higher levels of inventory investment in the private sector, while consumer spending and net exports were revised downward. Strong consumer spending still … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: December 2015
The first estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2015 reports a 1.5 percent annualized growth rate, a 61 percent decline from the second quarter. Despite modest growth, the Bureau of Economic Analysis stated that U.S. domestic consumption, which accounts for about two-thirds of real GDP, remained strong. More specifically, personal … [Read more...]
Business Indicators: November 2015
The “third” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2015 reports a 3.9 percent annualized growth rate, revised up by 0.2 percent from the second estimate. The Bureau of Economic Analysis stated that a second-quarter increase in real GDP mostly reflected strong consumer spending. More specifically, personal consumption expenditures, net … [Read more...]
