The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2026. This showed a jump from 2.2 per cent in the previous quarter. Many factors like consumer spending, investment, and government expenditure helped the growth, even though a rise in imports slowed things down.
The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2026, accelerating from 2.2 per cent in the previous quarter, as consumer spending, investment and government expenditure supported economic growth.
According to the advance estimate released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.4 per cent in the July-September quarter.
The stronger growth followed a 2.2 per cent expansion in the second quarter, indicating an acceleration in economic activity during the three months to September.
Investment, consumer spending and government spending were the primary contributors to GDP growth in the third quarter, the BEA said. However, the increase was partly offset by a decline in exports.
Imports also increased during the quarter. Since imports are subtracted when calculating GDP, their rise acted as a drag on the headline growth figure.
The advance estimate is the BEA's first assessment of economic performance for the quarter and is based on data that may be incomplete or subject to revision as additional information becomes available.
Real GDP measures the inflation-adjusted value of goods and services produced in the US economy. It is a key indicator of economic health, reflecting changes in consumer demand, business investment, government activity and international trade.