It's Nearly Time for the Summer Ritual of Updating GDP Numbers

The annual update of gross domestic product is coming soon. As it does every summer, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will revisit its earlier GDP estimates and other national data and make some changes. Does that mean the older numbers were wrong?

No, and here’s why:

Send Us Your Suggestions About Outdoor Recreation Statistics

A notice in the Federal Register on June 26 opened a 30-day period for public comment about the first-of-its-kind Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account.

The project is a collaboration with the Federal Recreation Council, a group of seven agencies that are prominent stewards of public lands and waters. It was authorized by the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Impact Act of 2016.

May 2017 Trade Gap is $46.5 Billion

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in May 2017 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $47.6 billion in April (revised) to $46.5 billion in May, as exports increased and imports decreased.

U.S. Net International Investment Position First Quarter 2017

The U.S. net international investment position increased to −$8,141.2 billion (preliminary) at the end of the first quarter of 2017 from −$8,318.4 billion (revised) at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016.*

Personal Savings Rate Rises in May

Personal income increased 0.4 percent in May after increasing 0.3 percent in April. Personal dividend income increased 4.8 percent in May after increasing 0.4 percent in April.

GDP Increases in First Quarter

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2017, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The growth rate was 0.2 percentage point higher than the “second” estimate released last month.

U.S. Net International Investment Position First Quarter 2017

Preliminary Statistics for U.S. Net International Investment Position

Errata: The numbers in this blog no longer stand.

U.S. Net International Investment Position Year 2016

The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$8,318.4 billion (revised) at the end of 2016 from −$7,493.5 billion (revised) at the end of 2015.

State Personal Income, First Quarter 2017

State personal income growth accelerated to 1.0 percent on average in the first quarter of 2017 from 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Earnings and personal current transfer receipts were the leading contributors to growth for the nation and in most states.

State Personal Income, First Quarter 2017

Real spending (output) on travel and tourism turned up in the first quarter of 2017, increasing at an annual rate of 0.4 percent after decreasing 2.7 percent (revised) in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to new statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Travel and Tourism Spending Turned Up in the First Quarter

Real spending (output) on travel and tourism turned up in the first quarter of 2017, increasing at an annual rate of 0.4 percent after decreasing 2.7 percent (revised) in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to new statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Real Personal Income for Metropolitan Areas, 2015

Growth of real personal income for metropolitan areas — an area’s current-dollar personal income adjusted by its regional price parity (RPP) and the national personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index — ranged from -10.1 percent in Midland, TX to 9.9 percent in Carson City, NV.