Published

U.S. Economic Growth Slows to 1.9%

America’s economic growth slowed slightly to an annualized 1.9% in the third quarter from 2% in the previous period. Results were stronger than economists expected but short of the 3% growth target set by President Donald Trump.
#economics

Share

America’s economic growth slowed slightly to an annualized 1.9% in the third quarter from 2% in the previous period. Results were stronger than economists expected but short of the 3% growth target set by President Donald Trump.

Compared to a year ago, third-quarter GDP expanded 2.0%, its weakest performance since the beginning of 2016.

Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of gross domestic product, slowed to a seasonally adjusted 2.9% in July-September from 4.6% in the second quarter but comparable to its pace a year ago, according to a first estimate by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. The department will issue updates as more statistics become available.

Analysts note that the results may indicate the start of a business slowdown. Spending on private domestic business structures and equipment fell 15% and 4%, respectively, compared with the previous period.

Likewise, growth in federal government spending in the third quarter slowed to 2% from 4.8% in the previous quarter. Spending by state and local governments decelerated to 1.1% from 2.7%.

The economy may get a lift later today from the Federal Reserve, which is expected to cut the prime lending rate by another quarter-point. The central bank has made two such reductions already this year.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Inside Ford

    On this edition of “Autoline After Hours” Joann Muller, Detroit bureau chief for Forbes, provides insights into what she’s learned about Ford, insights that are amplified on the show by our other panelists, Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit who specializes in the auto industry, and Todd Lassa, Detroit Bureau Chief for Automobile.

  • VW Warns of Higher Costs to Develop EVs

    CEO Herbert Diess says the €20 billion ($23 billion) Volkswagen AG has budgeted to electrify its entire vehicle lineup won’t be enough to meet that goal.

  • On Global EV Sales, Lean and the Supply Chain & Dealing With Snow

    The distribution of EVs and potential implications, why lean still matters even with supply chain issues, where there are the most industrial robots, a potential coming shortage that isn’t a microprocessor, mapping tech and obscured signs, and a look at the future

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions