Headline GDP continues to send mixed signals on the direction of the U.S. economy. During Q3, real GDP rose at a 2.6% annualized rate, ending the recent string of quarterly declines in growth registered in the first half of 2022. At first look, the expansion in real GDP is a welcome sign that the economy is busting out of its recent slump. The underlying details, however, paint an entirely different picture. The top-line real GDP figure was boosted by a 2.8 percentage point contribution from real net exports. Real exports of goods and services rose solidly during the quarter. Considering the current strength of the U.S. dollar and the economic struggles of America's trading partners, the strong growth in exports is unlikely to be sustained. On the other hand, real imports pulled back in Q3 as supply chains continue to normalize, businesses slow inventory builds and consumer demand wanes.
Taken together, consumer spending and business fixed investment, which are a better measure of the underlying trend in economic activity, were essentially flat during Q3. A sharp drop in structures spending dragged down overall business fixed investment, which fell 4.9% during the quarter. New nonresidential development continues to be hampered by uncertain demand and rising building material prices. Equipment and intellectual property spending both expanded solidly. The impacts of higher interest rates as well as the return to more typical consumer behavior were evident in the consumer spending data. Real personal consumption expenditures (PCE) registered a relatively soft 1.4% annualized rise. The quarterly gain was mostly the result of a solid increase in services spending, which is still benefiting from unleashed pent-up demand from the pandemic. Spending on goods, which is more sensitive to interest rates, declined for the third straight quarter.
Housing is another sector that is highly responsive to financing costs. Residential fixed investment plummeted 26.4% during Q3, a sharp decline brought on by this year's spike in mortgage rates. Since the start of the year, mortgage rates have moved up rapidly and are currently hovering above 7.0%. The climb in borrowing costs has significantly reduced affordability and pushed buyers to the sidelines. If October's drop in mortgage demand is any indication, residential fixed investment is likely to remain a drag on overall GDP. Mortgage applications for purchase have slipped in every week so far in October and are down almost 42% over the year. Pending home sales and new home sales are also on a steep downward trend, with both retreating markedly in September. Home prices are now declining on a monthly basis. The S&P Case-Schiller National Home Price Index dropped 1.3%, the second straight monthly decline.
How Long Can US Businesses Remain Shut Down?
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Apr 29, 2020
The sudden stop in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic means that many businesses will need to rely on their cash reserves to survive the next few months.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 01 October 2021
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Oct 10, 2021
Economic data this week indicated that the ongoing expansion still has some momentum despite some familiar headwinds, though this week\'s releases were largely overshadowed by a busy week on Capitol Hill.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 23 September 2022
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Sep 27, 2022
The FOMC raised the target range for the fed funds rate by 75 bps for the third consecutive time. The housing market continues to buckle under the pressure of higher mortgage rates.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 07 April 2023
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Apr 10, 2023
Employers added jobs at the slowest pace since 2020 in March, job openings fell and an upward trend in initial jobless claims has emerged.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 04 September 2020
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Aug 29, 2020
Employers added jobs for the fourth consecutive month in August, bringing the total number of jobs recovered from the virus-related low to 10.5 million.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 20 January 2023
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Jan 20, 2023
The housing sector has borne the brunt of the Fed\'s efforts to slow the economy, and this week\'s data showed the industry continues to reel.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 27 May 2022
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / May 29, 2022
it looks like higher mortgage rates are starting to have some effect on the housing market as April...
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 13 November 2020
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Nov 14, 2020
The combination of the election outcome and a workable vaccine boosted financial markets and set the background music for this week’s short list of indicators.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 08 November 2019
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / Nov 09, 2019
Optimism soared this week on hopes of a forthcoming trade deal, as equity markets hit all-time highs and the yield curve steepened.
This Week's State Of The Economy - What Is Ahead? - 22 May 2020
Wells Fargo Economics & Financial Report / May 25, 2020
The re-opening of the country is getting underway, with all 50 states starting to roll back restrictions.
