U.S. Economy Shrinks More Than Previously Estimated In Q1

RTTNews | 57 days ago
U.S. Economy Shrinks More Than Previously Estimated In Q1

(RTTNews) - Revised data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed the U.S. economy shrank by more than previously estimated in the first quarter of 2025.

The Commerce Department said real gross domestic product fell by 0.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the previously reported 0.2 percent dip. Economists had expected the decrease by GDP to be unrevised.

The bigger than previously estimated decline primarily reflecting downward revisions to consumer spending and exports that were partly offset by a downward revision to imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP.

The modest decrease by GDP in the first quarter came following a 2.4 percent jump by GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The downturn by GDP primarily reflected an upturn in imports, a deceleration in consumer spending, and a downturn in government spending that were partly offset by an upturn in investment.

On the inflation front, the Commerce Department said the personal consumption expenditures price index surged by 3.7 percent in the first quarter, 0.1 percentage point higher than previously estimated.

The jump by the core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy prices, was also upwardly revised by 0.1 percentage point to 3.5 percent.

read more
Powell Says Outlook, Shifting Balance Of Risks 'May Warrant' Lower Rates

Powell Says Outlook, Shifting Balance Of Risks 'May Warrant' Lower Rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a highly-anticipated speech before the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday, although he touched only briefly on the outlook for monetary policy. "With policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance," Powell said.
RTTNews | 8h 29min ago
U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Down In Line With Estimates In July

U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Down In Line With Estimates In July

A reading on leading U.S. economic indicators edged slightly lower in the month of July, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Thursday. The Conference Board said leading economic index slipped by 0.1 percent in July after falling by 0.3 percent in June. The modest decrease matched economist estimates.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
U.S. Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Rebound In July

U.S. Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Rebound In July

The National Association of Realtors released a report on Thursday showing an unexpected rebound by existing home sales in the U.S. in the month of July. The report said existing home sales jumped by 2.0 percent to an annual rate of 4.01 million in July after tumbling by 2.7 percent to an annual rate of 3.93 million in June.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
Philly Fed Index Unexpectedly Returns To Negative Territory In August

Philly Fed Index Unexpectedly Returns To Negative Territory In August

Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area has weakened in the month of August, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia revealed in a report released on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity tumbled to a negative 0.3 in August from a positive 15.9 in July, with a negative reading indicating contraction.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
U.S. Jobless Claims Rise More Than Expected To 235,000

U.S. Jobless Claims Rise More Than Expected To 235,000

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by much more than expected in the week ended August 16th, according to a repot released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 235,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 224,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 225,000.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Rise More Than Expected

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Rise More Than Expected

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by much more than expected in the week ended August 16th, according to a repot released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
Fed Minutes Reveal Details Behind Split Interest Rate Decision

Fed Minutes Reveal Details Behind Split Interest Rate Decision

The minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting revealed most officials still see the upside risk to inflation as the bigger threat to the economic outlook, although a couple were more worried about the downside risk to employment.
RTTNews | 2 days ago