Real GDP growth picked up, rising 2.7 percent after rising 1.3 percent in the second quarter. Private inventory investment and federal government spending turned up, and residential investment picked up.
Net government saving increased $26.4 billion to –$1,212.6 billion. Net federal government saving increased $41.9 billion to –$1,073.5 billion. Net state and local government saving decreased $15.4 billion to –$139.1 billion.
Real GDP by industry slowed in 2011, increasing 1.8 percent after increasing 2.4 percent in 2010. In 2011, 12 of the 22 major industry groups contributed to the slowdown.