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...] about Business Indicators: June 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: May 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: April 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: March 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: February 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: January 2016
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...] about Business Indicators: December 2015
Business Indicators: October 2015
The “second” estimate for U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2015 indicates an annualized rate increase of 3.7 percent, which is a significant upward revision from the advance estimate of 2.3 percent. The Bureau of Economic Analysis stated that second-quarter increases in real GDP mostly reflected strong consumer spending. More generally, personal … [Read more...] about Business Indicators: October 2015