U.S. first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth reached 3.2 percent, according to the initial report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) last Friday. That estimate is subject to further revisions on 30 May. Of note are the following factors:
GDP growth came in far higher than pre-report expectations. GDP growth tends to be slower in the first quarter than in the other three quarters of the year, averaging 1.7 percent since 2010 versus 2.5 percent, respectively. Trade was the largest contributor to GDP growth despite the economic uncertainty on several fronts (e.g., USMCA, China, etc.).
The trade aspect of the recent GDP report will undoubtedly be discussed extensively in the media (and on Twitter) given Preside...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
