The bureau of economic analysis published today August 29th its second estimate of the growth rate of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product for the second quarter of 2012. According to the recent update U.S output of goods and services growth rate was revised up to an annual growth rate of 1.7% in Q2 2012.
According to the recent update, the growth rate of the real U.S GDP during the second quarter of 2012 (second estimate) was revised up from 1.5% in annual growth in the first estimate to 1.7% in the second estimate. This is figure is a bit better than what some had expected. This is the second estimate that could be revised in the next and final report. The first quarter of 2012 expanded by 2% (according to another revision made); the real U.S GDP for Q4 2011, by 3%; thus the growth rate in the Q2 2012 was still lower than in the last couple of quarters but was still higher than the growth during the parallel quarter in 2011.
This means the U.S output didn’t expand as much as hoped and slowed down.
The chart below presents the developments of the real U.S. GDP (in annual rates) growth rate between the years 2009 and 2012. It shows the steady rise in the GDP growth rate during 2011 but since then the growth rate deteriorated during 2012.
Currently, the American stock markets are slightly falling along with other major commodities prices: major energy commodities prices including crude oil prices are currently falling; gold and silver are also trading down; the U.S dollar is appreciating against major currencies including Euro, Japanese Yen and Aussie dollar.
Nymex (WTI) crude oil price, short term future (September 2012 delivery) is traded down by 0.87%, at $95.49 per barrel as of 15:51*.
Gold price, short term futures (September 2012 delivery) is traded at $1,656 per t oz. a $13.1 decrease as of 15:51*.
Euros to USD is currently traded slightly down at 1.2523 as of 15:51*.
(* GMT)
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