All articles tagged with #economic growth
The Commerce Department revised U.S. fourth-quarter GDP growth down to 0.5%, signaling a softer end to the year and potentially influencing the 2026 outlook and Federal Reserve policy as spending and investment cooled.
Entergy Louisiana and Meta announce two agreements totaling about $2.65 billion in customer benefits over 20 years to support the Northeast Louisiana hyperscale data center, with Meta covering the full cost of the infrastructure and new commitments for energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, and grid improvements. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs, increase tax revenues, strengthen grid reliability, and position Louisiana as a high-tech growth leader while maintaining affordable rates.
New Commerce Department data trim Q4 2025 GDP growth to 0.7% annualized, far slower than the prior 1.4% advance estimate, while January inflation remains stubborn with core PCE at 3.1% and overall PCE near 2.8%, signaling persistent price pressures even as oil prices rise with the Iran conflict; the weaker momentum before the conflict complicates the Fed’s effort to cool inflation without tipping the economy into recession, and markets priced in potential rate cuts later in the year.
Real GDP rose at a 0.7% annual rate in Q4 2025, down from 4.4% in Q3, helped by consumer spending and investment but dragged by government spending and exports; imports fell, and 2025 real GDP increased 2.1%. The October government shutdown and missing CPI data affected the release, with BEA’s next update scheduled for April 9, 2026 and data tables available online.
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik argues that U.S. economic momentum is weakening under Trump, citing a February jobs shortfall (-92,000) and sustained employment declines since 2024, tariffs that failed to deliver promised gains, rising gas prices driven by Iran-related conflict, and slowing GDP forecasts. With inflation elevated and consumer sentiment down, the near-term outlook looks notably dim despite political promises.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met in Washington to reaffirm and advance the reciprocal trade agreement, directing ministers to implement the pact and boost economic security and growth as they pursue a 'NEW GOLDEN AGE' of the U.S.-Indonesia alliance.
The US economy is expanding at a robust pace while job openings and hiring have fallen to multi-year lows, leaving some workers unemployed or underemployed despite strong growth. Analysts point to factors like AI-driven efficiency, outsourcing, immigration policy, and fiscal uncertainty as possible causes, with experts cautioning the trend could be temporary or longer-lasting.
Tariffs are effectively a tax on U.S. consumption, potentially slowing growth by raising costs for consumers and firms. The S&P 500 is trading with a CAPE ratio above 39, a level historically followed by weak returns and drawdowns, a pattern echoing the dot-com crash. While earnings may accelerate in 2025–26, investors are advised to be cautious, consider preserving cash, and tilt portfolios toward long-term wealth rather than chasing volatility.
Americans started 2026 in a foul mood even as the economy shows growth and unemployment remains low, with consumer confidence sinking to a 12-year low (84.5). Persistent inflation around 3% and a softer job market weigh on sentiment, underscoring a disconnect between strong headlines and public mood.
Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam was reelected and is expected to become president, signaling a consolidation of power that could accelerate decisions and reforms. He’s pushing a high-growth strategy targeting 10%+ annual growth from 2026–2030 centered on expanding the private sector and higher-value industries, while maintaining party discipline. The move raises concerns about checks and human rights as the state expands security influence and reshapes the economy; challenges include aging demographics, climate risk, weak institutions, and U.S. trade pressures.
U.S. GDP rose at a 4.4% annual rate in the third quarter, led by robust consumer spending, marking the fastest growth in two years and signaling resilience in the economy.
China’s population declined for the fourth straight year to about 1.404 billion in 2025, with births at 7.92 million and a birth rate of 5.63 per 1,000—the lowest since 1949—despite subsidies and policy tweaks intended to boost births; analysts say aging demographics and high costs are weighing on family formation, and reforms to pension systems and tax bases may be needed to sustain growth as the economy shifts away from labor-intensive industries.
About a quarter of developing countries are poorer now than in 2019 due to post-pandemic shocks, with many in sub-Saharan Africa; while some economies posted modest growth, global growth is slowing and not enough to reduce poverty. The World Bank notes China’s projected growth of about 4.4% this year and 4.2% next, and urges tighter budgets, more private investment and trade liberalization, and investment in technology and education to sustain growth amid high debt and aging populations.
The US trade deficit has significantly decreased to its lowest since 2009, dropping by nearly half to around $29.4 billion in October 2025, driven by reduced imports and increased exports amid tariffs, which some economists see as a sign of economic resilience and a potential advantage in 2026.
Goldman Sachs Research predicts the S&P 500 will rally 12% in 2026, driven by moderate economic growth, continued AI investment, and strategic sector rotations, despite concerns about market concentration and valuation levels.