The US economy rebounded in the third quarter, expanding for the first time this year in welcome news for President Joe Biden days ahead of midterm elections, government data showed Thursday.
Economic issues have become a flashpoint in the United States, with decades-high inflation weighing on growth and squeezing households.
Fears of a downturn have intensified in the world’s biggest economy after two-quarters of negative growth, commonly viewed as a strong signal that a recession is underway — a trend that would have global consequences and domestic political costs.
But gross domestic product rose at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the July to September period, according to the latest Commerce Department data.
“Our economic recovery is continuing to power forward,” said Biden in a statement.
But he added that officials need to “make more progress” on bringing down high costs for American households.
The better-than-expected performance was helped by strong trade, even as housing investment plunged and weaker consumer spending on goods casts a pall on growth as higher prices bite.
Industrial supplies and materials, notably petroleum and products, kept exports robust.
In consumer spending, an increase in services led by health care was “partly offset” by a drop in products like motor vehicles and parts, along with food and beverages, data showed.
The leap in exports is “unsustainable,” as a strong dollar and weak global growth will pose constraints moving forward, cautioned Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics.
