The “advance” estimate of U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2020 fell by 4.8 percent at an annual rate, the steepest drop since 2008 Q4. The sharp decline reflected the nearly stalled economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic that started in mid-March as state governments issued stay-at-home orders. U.S. nonfarm employment experienced a record … [Read more...] about Business Indicators
Business IndicatorsMay 2019
The “third” estimate of U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2018 was revised downward by 0.4 percentage points to 2.2 percent at an annualized rate compared to the “initial” estimate. The total nonfarm employment in January and February was revised up, which resulted an additional gain of 14,000 jobs than previously reported. Retail sales in … [Read more...] about Business Indicators
Business IndicatorsApril 2019
The “initial” estimate of U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2018 produced an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent. Overall, the economy expanded by 2.9 percent in 2018, the strongest growth since 2015, while the trade deficit climbed to the highest level since the Great Recession. Average hourly earnings growth rebounded from 3.1 percent growth in … [Read more...] about Business Indicators
Business IndicatorsFebruary 2019
The “third” estimate of the growth rate of U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2018 fell by 0.1 percent to an annual rate of 3.4 percent compared to the “second” estimate. The revision reflected smaller-than-expected personal consumption expenditure and net exports, which a larger-than-expected private inventory investment partly offset. U.S. nonfarm … [Read more...] about Business Indicators
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...] about December 2016: Business Indicators