Economy

US GDP Growth Estimate for Q3 Rises to 3.5%

Thinkstock

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Thursday issued its final revision for third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). According to the BEA, U.S. GDP rose at an inflation-adjusted and seasonally adjusted rate of 3.5%, higher than the October estimate of 2.9% and the November estimate of 3.2%.

GDP rose to 1.4% in the second quarter of 2016 and just 0.8% in the first quarter.

Bloomberg had a consensus estimate of 3.3% for the revised estimate. Dow Jones (The Wall Street Journal) also expected growth of 3.3%.

Residential fixed investment (home building) personal consumption expenditures, and state and local government spending rose more than expected. Corporate profits increased $117.8 billion in the third quarter, compared with a decrease of $12.5 billion in the second quarter.

Profits of domestic financial corporations rose $50.1 billion in the third quarter, compared with a $5.6 billion increase in the second quarter. Profits of nonfinancial corporations increased $66.4 billion, compared with a drop of $56.1 billion in the prior quarter.

Gross domestic income (GDI) rose by 4.8% in the third quarter, up from just 0.7% in the second quarter. The estimate for consumer spending fell from 4.3% in the second quarter to 3% in the third quarter. The personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index rose by 1.5%, compared with an increase of 2% in the second quarter. Excluding food and energy prices, the PCE price index increased 1.7%, compared with a 1.8% increase in the second quarter.

Sales of durable goods rose 11.6% in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 9.8% in the second quarter. Sales of nondurable goods fell 0.5%, compared with an increase of 5.7% in the second quarter.

The Average American Is Losing Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today, and inflation is much higher. Checking accounts are even worse.

Every day you don’t move to a high-yield savings account that beats inflation, you lose more and more value.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying 9-10x this national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe, and get paid at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other one time cash bonuses, and is FDIC insured.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes and your money could be working for you.

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.