Image: Welch & ForbesU.S. GDP Grows at 2% Annualized Rate in Q1 2026 Led by AI Business Investment
• Real GDP expanded at a 2% annualized pace in Q1 2026, driven by business investment surging to its fastest rate in nearly three years on AI equipment and software spending. • Consumer spending rose modestly at 1.6%, down from 1.9% last quarter, impacted by bad winter weather and March energy price spikes. • ISM Manufacturing PMI hit 52.7 and Services PMI 53.6 in April, marking continued expansion with Prices Paid Index steady at 70.7 signaling persistent inflation pressures.
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