U.S. GDP Grew at a 4.9% Annual Pace in the Third Quarter, Better Than Expected (Macro News for November 11, 2023 – November 17, 2023)

U.S. gross domestic product, or GDP, grew more rapidly than expected in the third quarter of 2023. The U.S. Commerce Department announced GDP increased by 4.9% on an annual basis. A survey of economists previously forecast that real GDP growth would be 4.7%. Real GDP measures the inflation-adjusted total value of all final goods and services produced in the U.S. during a given period.

Warning Sign for the Economy: Consumers are Getting Grumpy (Micro News for January 15, 2022 – January 21, 2022)

Omicron, inflation, and other challenges appear to be taking a toll on U.S. consumers. Data show that December 2021 sales were 1.9 percent below the previous month. This marks the first drop since summer 2021 when consumers were faced with rising Covid cases from the Delta variant.

What Savers Do With $2.4 Trillion Will Define the Recovery (Macro News for February 13, 2021 – February 19, 2021)

American consumers have stashed away about $1.5 trillion in forced savings during the pandemic. The inability to eat out and shop in traditional brick and mortar stores has essentially forced those that kept their incomes flowing to save money. Goldman Sachs' analysts estimate that number will reach $2.4 trillion before things return to normal.

Americans Are on a Spending Spree, But the Sugar Rush May be Wearing Off (Macro News for August 1, 2020 – August 7, 2020)

The government stimulus checks fueled US consumption during the months of May and June 2020. Consumer spending was up by 8.5% in May and 5.6% in June. However, many experts fear that trend will not continue unless the federal government finds a way to funnel more cash to consumers.