Exports boost US economic growth
- 8 years ago
The US economy is performing strongly. GDP grew at its fastest pace in two years between July and September – up by 2.9 percent from the same period last year, a big increase on the 1.4 percent pace in the second quarter.
There was a surge in exports and companies built up their inventories after running them down in the second quarter.
That offset a slowdown in consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. It increased at a 2.1 percent rate, down from the second quarter’s robust 4.3 percent
The first estimate of growth comes just weeks before the presidential election and will be seized on by Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton as proof that her party’s policies work.
The numbers should help back up what the Federal Reserve policymakers have said – that the US economy is making slow and steady progress. They also increase the possibility of an interest rate hike by the Fed in December.
There was a surge in exports and companies built up their inventories after running them down in the second quarter.
That offset a slowdown in consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. It increased at a 2.1 percent rate, down from the second quarter’s robust 4.3 percent
The first estimate of growth comes just weeks before the presidential election and will be seized on by Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton as proof that her party’s policies work.
The numbers should help back up what the Federal Reserve policymakers have said – that the US economy is making slow and steady progress. They also increase the possibility of an interest rate hike by the Fed in December.