Published

U.S. Economy Shrank in First Quarter

America's gross domestic product contracted by an annualized 0.7% in January-March compared with the same period in 2014, according to the U.S.
#economics

Share

America's gross domestic product contracted by an annualized 0.7% in January-March compared with the same period in 2014, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.

The department's Bureau of Economic Analysis initially estimated the economy grew by 0.2% in the first quarter. The bureau says real GDP increased 2.2% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Analysts attribute the first-quarter slump to a harsh winter, reduced spending by state and local governments and a strong dollar that hurt exports. They say initial indications are that the American economy began expanding again in the current quarter.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Ford’s $42 Billion Cash Cow

    F-Series pickups generate about 30% of the carmaker’s revenue. The tally is about twice as much as what McDonald’s pulls in.

  • Report Forecasts Huge Economic Upside for Self-Driving EVs

    Widespread adoption of autonomous electric vehicles could provide $800 billion in annual social and economic benefits in the U.S. by 2050, according to a new report.

  • China and U.S. OEMs

    When Ford announced its 3rd quarter earning on October 24, the official announcement said, in part, “Company revenue was up 3 percent year over year, with net income and company adjusted EBIT both down year over year, primarily driven by continued challenges in China.” The previous day, perhaps as a preemptive move to answer the question “If things are going poorly in China, what are you doing about it?, Ford announced that it was establishing Ford China as a stand-alone business unit.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions