US Q3 GDP Growth: Resilience Amid Challenges

Introduction

The US economy grew at an annualized 2.8% in Q3 2024, driven by robust consumer spending and steady business investments, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Consumer spending, which increased 3.5%, led the growth, although slightly revised down due to softer merchandise purchases. Business investments, especially in equipment, surged, with a 39% rise in spending on computers and peripherals—the largest since 2020.

Finding multibagger stocks is important for building wealth. Discover potential multi-baggers at Sovrenn Discovery. 

However, nonresidential fixed investment slowed to 3.8%, reflecting caution amid economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, trade dynamics and inventory adjustments restrained growth, subtracting 0.57 and 0.11 percentage points, respectively.

Inflation and Federal Reserve Policy

The Fed’s preferred inflation metric, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, rose 1.5%, while core PCE excluding food and energy climbed 2.1%. This moderation supports the Fed’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts, balancing growth with inflation control.

Labor Market Trends

Initial jobless claims remained historically low, but continuing claims hit their highest level since 2021, signaling challenges for unemployed workers finding new jobs. Despite these mixed signals, the labor market remains a key pillar of economic resilience.

Investing has built huge wealth for several HNI investors. Learn investing FREE OF CHARGE at Sovrenn Education

Corporate Profits and Business Sentiment

After-tax corporate profits were flat, with profit margins for non-financial corporations slightly improving to 15.6%. Optimism around President-elect Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda, including tax cuts and trade tariffs, has buoyed stock markets. However, economists warn of potential inflationary risks from expansive fiscal policies.

Government Spending Boost

Government spending expanded 5%, driven by a 14% rise in defense outlays. This robust increase highlights fiscal priorities that supported GDP growth despite weaker trade contributions.

Outlook

While the economy remains resilient, challenges like inflation, global trade uncertainties, and labor market shifts pose risks. Policymakers must navigate these carefully to sustain growth in the quarters ahead.

 Also Read: India’s Growth Outlook: Diverging Paths of S&P and FinMin