US: Real GDP grows at an annual rate of 1.3% in Q1

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) second estimate revealed that the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose at an annualised rate of 1.3% in the first quarter. This number was higher than the advance estimate and the market forecast of 1.1%.

“The increase in real GDP reflected increases in consumer spending, exports, federal government spending, state and local government spending, and nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by decreases in private inventory investment and residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased,” the BEA explained in its publication.”