The BEA Wire | BEA's Official Blog

U.S. Net International Investment Position Third Quarter 2018

The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$9,627.2 billion (preliminary) at the end of the third quarter of 2018 from −$8,845.1 billion (revised) at the end of the second quarter. The $782.1 billion decrease reflected net financial transactions of −$24.6 billion and net other changes in position, such as price and exchange-rate changes, of −$757.5 billion.

New Dates Set for Some Delayed Releases

Bureau of Economic Analysis reports on the U.S. international investment position, trade in goods and services, state economies, and industry economics that were delayed by the recent lapse in federal funding will be released in February.

The new release dates:

BEA Economic Reports Delayed

Bureau of Economic Analysis reports scheduled for this week and next will be delayed because of the effects of the partial government shutdown.

Those reports are:

Real Consumer Spending Rises in November

Personal income increased 0.2 percent in November after increasing 0.5 percent in October. Wages and salaries, the largest component of personal income, increased 0.2 percent in November after increasing 0.4 percent in October.

GDP Increases in the Third Quarter

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The growth rate was revised down 0.1 percentage point from the “second” estimate released in November. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 4.2 percent.

State Personal Income, Third Quarter 2018

State personal income increased 4.0 percent at an annual rate in the third quarter of 2018, an acceleration from the 3.4 percent increase in the second quarter. Personal income increased in all states and the District of Columbia. The percent change in personal income across all states ranged from 6.2 percent in Nevada and Washington to 2.1 percent in Missouri.

U.S. Current-Account Deficit Increases in Third Quarter 2018

The U.S. current-account deficit increased to $124.8 billion (preliminary) in the third quarter of 2018 from $101.2 billion (revised) in the second quarter of 2018. As a percentage of U.S. GDP, the deficit increased to 2.4 percent from 2.0 percent. The previously published current-account deficit for the second quarter was $101.5 billion.

GDP for the U.S. Virgin Islands Decreases in 2017 Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria

The estimates of gross domestic product for the U.S. Virgin Islands show that real GDP—GDP adjusted to remove price changes—decreased 1.7 percent in 2017 after increasing 0.9 percent in 2016. For comparison, real GDP for the United States (excluding the territories) increased 2.2 percent in 2017 after increasing 1.6 percent in 2016.

First County GDP Numbers Reveal Differences in Local Economies

Real gross domestic product increased in 1,931 of the nation’s counties and decreased in 1,159 counties in 2015, according to prototype statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The inflation-adjusted data show GDP unchanged in 23 counties.

October 2018 Trade Gap is $55.5 Billion

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in October 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit increased from $54.6 billion in September (revised) to $55.5 billion in October, as exports decreased and imports increased. The previously published September deficit was $54.0 billion. The goods deficit increased $0.9 billion in October to $78.1 billion. The services surplus…

First County GDP Numbers Coming Soon

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Dec. 12 will provide an unprecedented look at the size and growth of more than 3,000 county economies across the nation.

Comprehensive Update of Industry Accounts Now Available

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has released a comprehensive update of its industry statistics, including improvements that reflect the evolving U.S. economy, update the benchmark year, and provide more detailed annual and quarterly data.