The BEA Wire | BEA's Official Blog
BEA’s 15th Comprehensive Update Improves Measurement of the Economy
BEA has updated gross domestic product and related statistics covering the past five years, and in some cases reaching back decades, to reflect newly available source data; improved seasonal adjustment; innovations in measuring the prices of software, medical equipment, and cellphones; and more.
Gross Domestic Product by Industry: First Quarter 2018
Real estate and rental and leasing; information; and nondurable goods manufacturing were the leading contributors to the increase in U.S. economic growth in the first quarter of 2018. Overall, 14 of 22 industry groups contributed to the 2.0 percent increase in real GDP in the first quarter.
New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, 2017
Expenditures by foreign direct investors to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses totaled $259.6 billion in 2017, down 32 percent from $379.7 billion in 2016.
Additional highlights of the statistics on new foreign direct investment for 2017:
May 2018 Trade Gap is $43.1 Billion
The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in May 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $46.1 billion in April (revised) to $43.1 billion in May, as exports increased more than imports. The previously published April deficit was $46.2 billion. The goods deficit decreased $2.6 billion in May to $65.8 billion. The services surplus increased $0.5 billion in May…
Coming July 27: GDP Statistics Updated to Keep Pace with Ever-Changing Economy
After five years, it’s almost time for another comprehensive update of gross domestic product and related statistics – big events at BEA that can affect decades of data.
Personal Income Rises in May
Personal income increased 0.4 percent in May after increasing 0.2 percent in April. Wages and salaries, the largest component of personal income, increased 0.3 percent in May, the same increase as in April.
GDP Increases in First Quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 2.0 percent in the first quarter of 2018, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The growth rate was 0.2 percentage point lower than the “second” estimate released last month. In the fourth quarter of 2017, real GDP increased 2.9 percent.
U.S. Net International Investment Position First Quarter 2018
The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$7,888.1 billion (preliminary) at the end of the first quarter of 2018 from −$7,725.0 billion (revised) at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017. The $163.1 billion decrease reflected net financial transactions of –$164.8 billion and net other changes in position, such as price and exchange-rate changes, of $1.7 billion.
U.S. Net International Investment Position First Quarter 2018
The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$7,888.1 billion (preliminary) at the end of the first quarter of 2018 from −$7,725.0 billion (revised) at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017. The $163.1 billion decrease reflected net financial transactions of –$164.8 billion and net other changes in position, such as price and exchange-rate changes, of $1.7 billion.
State Personal Income: First Quarter 2018
State personal income increased 4.3 percent at an annual rate in the first quarter of 2018, after increasing 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017. Personal income increased in all states and the District of Columbia. The percent change in personal income across all states ranged from 7.4 percent in Washington to 2.0 percent in Idaho.
U.S. Current-Account Deficit Increases in First Quarter 2018
The U.S. current-account deficit increased to $124.1 billion (preliminary) in the first quarter of 2018 from $116.1 billion (revised) in the fourth quarter of 2017. As a percentage of U.S. GDP, the deficit increased to 2.5 percent from 2.4 percent. The previously published current-account deficit for the fourth quarter was $128.2 billion.