GDP Rose More Than Expected; Stocks Top Record Again
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Published Friday, July 26, 2019 at: 7:00 AM EDT

U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.1% in the second quarter of 2019, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 3.1%, but many forecasts had expected GDP to decelerate more sharply.

As recently as Thursday, the GDPNow forecast designed by the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, some of the world's best economists, updated its growth projection to 1.3%. To be clear, the Atlanta Fed's real time forecast of 1.3% on Thursday underestimated the actual rate of growth announced by the government on Friday morning by 60%! An independent real-time projection by the New York Federal Reserve Bank, for 1.5% growth, also sharply underestimated actual second quarter growth of 2.1%.

Consumer spending — which accounts for 70% of U.S. economic activity — fueled the confounding growth. Personal consumption expenditures spiked.

Despite declines in two of the four factors in U.S. growth — net exports and business investment — the surprising surge in consumer spending drove GDP to grow faster than what generally had been expected.

With the expansion entering its eleventh year, signs of slowing growth have spurred worries about a recession, but stocks have climbed anyway, as the strength of consumers surprised even the Fed's brightest minds, propelling continued economic growth.

The Standard & Poor's 500 stock index of large public companies, this week once again, closed above the previous all-time closing high on Friday, ending the week at 3,025.86.

With slowing growth, the months ahead could bring a dramatic pause in the record-long expansion. Profit estimates on the S&P 500 may need to be lowered by Wall Street, which could sour some investors on stocks. Expect volatility in stock prices during the deceleration in growth, but also be prepared for the expansion continuing, for the possibility that the Fed will get monetary policy right and manage strong crosscurrents; like a trade war with China, political uncertainty, and lower-than-expected inflation, and steer the economy toward renewed strength.

This article was written by a veteran financial journalist based on data compiled and analyzed by independent economist, Fritz Meyer. While these are sources we believe to be reliable, the information is not intended to be used as financial or tax advice without consulting a professional about your personal situation. Tax laws are subject to change. Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Investments with higher return potential carry greater risk for loss. No one can predict the future of the stock market or any investment, and past performance is never a guarantee of your future results.

This article was written by a veteran financial journalist based on data compiled and analyzed by independent economist, Fritz Meyer. While these are sources we believe to be reliable, the information is not intended to be used as financial advice without consulting a professional about your personal situation.

Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Investments with higher return potential carry greater risk for loss. Past performance is not an indicator of your future results.

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