Surpassing predictions, the US economy saw a remarkable expansion of 3.3% in the fourth quarter. This growth exceeded expectations due to improvements in government expenditure, business investment, exports, and consumer spending. The United States Department of Commerce announced this exciting news on Thursday, providing the first estimate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion in comparison to the previous quarter.
As opposed to the anticipated growth in previous predictions, the US economy expanded by an impressive percentage in the fourth quarter. The LSEG consensus had initially predicted a rise that was lower than the actual outcome.
Examining the quarterly data further, the first quarter experienced an increase in GDP, followed by a subsequent increase in the second quarter, and another increase in the third quarter. This continuous growth over the quarters is a positive sign for the health of the US economy.
One of the major contributors to the increase in GDP in the fourth quarter was the substantial rise in government expenditure at the federal, state, and regional levels. Additionally, exports played a significant role in boosting the GDP. This rise in government expenditure and exports ultimately translated into a total increase in GDP.
Personal consumption expenditure and income also played a crucial role in the economic expansion. The consumer price index (PCE) showed an increase and is projected to have climbed even further last year. However, when energy and food costs were excluded, the core PCE rose instead of the expected increase.
Examining personal income, it was observed that the primary drivers of the rise in personal income among Americans were gains in compensation, personal income generated from assets, and homeowner income. This positive trend continued after a gain in the third quarter, leading to an overall increase in disposable personal income.
Comparing real discretionary income with nominal income, it was found that the former rose considerably while the latter experienced a modest increase. Individuals saved a significant amount in the fourth quarter, although it was slightly lower than in the third quarter.
In terms of personal savings rate, a notable decrease was observed in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter. This means that individuals saved a smaller proportion of their disposable income in the fourth quarter.
Overall, the US economy surpassed predictions with an impressive 3.3% expansion in the fourth quarter. This growth can be attributed to improvements in various sectors including government expenditure, business investment, exports, and consumer spending. The rise in personal income also contributed to the expansion. The positive economic indicators and the continuous growth over the quarters indicate a strong and healthy US economy.
