Real GDP increased 5.9 percent after increasing 2.2 percent in the third quarter. Inventory investment accelerated, imports decelerated, and business investment turned up. Consumer spending and federal government spending decelerated.

Every year, BEA prepares federal government estimates based on the proposed budget of the U.S. government. This analysis is often used to gauge the effects of the federal budget on U.S. economic activity.

The 2010 comprehensive revision of the annual industry accounts incorporates a wide array of improvements to better reflect the evolving economy.