The U.S. economy grew at a lackluster 1.3% annual rate from January through March as businesses wary of an economic slowdown trimmed their inventories, the government said Thursday, a slight upgrade from its initial estimate.

The government had previously estimated that the economy grew at a 1.1% annual rate last quarter.

The Commerce Department's revised measure of growth in the nation's gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — marked a deceleration from the second half of 2022.

Despite the first-quarter slowdown, consumer spending, which accounts for around 70% of America's economic output, rose at a healthy pace.

The steady weakening of economic growth is a consequence of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive drive to tame inflation, with 10 interest rate hikes over the past 14 months. Across the economy, the Fed’s rate increase have elevated the costs of auto loans, credit card borrowing and business loans.

With mortgage rates having doubled over the past year, the real estate market has already taken a beating: Investment in housing fell from January through March. In April, sales of existing homes were 23% below their level a year earlier.

Share:
More In Business
Adapting Business Technology to an Unpredictable World
No one is ever fully "ready" for the future. However, the past two years have clearly shown us that some businesses can be better prepared for the future than others. Shelly Kramer, Founding Partner & Lead Analyst of Futurum Research, joins Cheddar News to discuss how businesses of all sizes can stay agile enough to adapt to whatever the future may bring.
Boosters For All, Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics & The Perfect Hug
Jill is joined by “Friend of the Pod” Mosheh Oinounou to talk booster shots, and whether “fully vaccinated” will eventually mean three shots, not two. Plus, the latest on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. And the research is in: we know now the perfect way to hug. Also, Jill and Mosheh debate whether Airpods are passé.
Disney+ May be Key to Fourth Quarter Disney Earnings
Disney has movies in theaters and families in theme parks again, and as it prepares to report fourth quarter earnings after the bell, investors are looking at a number of key factors, which may drive company revenue after a tough few quarters as a result of the pandemic. Jim Anderson, CEO of SocialFlow, explains why streaming may be the key to a strong quarter for Disney.
Breaking Down Legal Challenge to Biden Vaccine Mandate for Businesses
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals court temporarily held up President Biden's vaccine mandate for workplaces with more than 100 employees as the various lawsuits challenging it are combined. Marjorie Mesidor, a partner at the law firm Phillips & Associates, PLLC, joined Cheddar to break down the arguments in play. "They [the Biden Administration] say we have the authority to do this under the broad powers that are given under OSHA," she said. "What the Republic side then is saying, no, this is overbroad."
Load More