2024 Q3 Economic Report Summary

GDP Growth: 

• U.S. GDP grew at an annualized 2.8% in Q3, slightly below Q2's 3%.
• Consumer spending rose 3.7%, the fastest since Q1 2023, but residential investment dropped 5.1%, its second consecutive decline.
• Inflation hit the Fed's 2% target, with unemployment steady near 4%.

 Employment: 

• 254,000 jobs were added in September, the largest gain in six months.
• The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, while wages increased 4% year-over-year.
• Upward revisions to prior months' job numbers highlight ongoing labor market resilience.

 Monetary Policy: 

• The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.5% in September, lowering the federal funds rate to 4.75%-5%.
• Strong job data makes further significant rate cuts unlikely.
• Fed Chair Powell emphasized balancing inflation control with stable employment.

 Global Economy: 

• IMF projects global growth of 3.2% for 2024-2025, with risks from regional conflicts and trade disruptions.
• Emerging Asia sees growth upgrades due to semiconductor demand, while Europe faces downgrades.
• Global inflation is expected to decline from 6.7% in 2023 to 5.8% in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025.
• Long-term growth remains constrained by aging populations and weak productivity.