28 September 2023
The U.S. economic outlook darkens as the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases revised Q2 GDP data. Personal consumption, a pivotal component of GDP, was a significant letdown. Initially expected at 1.7%, it came in at just 0.8%, a dramatic drop from Q1’s 3.8%. This marked the worst consumer performance since the COVID-ridden Q2 of 2020. Despite headline GDP figures meeting expectations, the underlying data indicates severe consumer weakness. Factors like the resumption of student loan payments, potential federal government shutdowns, and reduced auto production only magnify concerns for impending economic decline.