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GDP turns around in Q2, grows 4%

July 30, 2014

U.S. real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 4.0 percent in the second quarter, according to an advance estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The rate was much improved over the first quarter when real GDP fell 2.1 percent (a revised number based on the bureau’s annual revision).

“Some of the past quarter’s growth performance reflects a catch-up from the dismal first quarter performance,” according to The Conference Board. “But this stellar growth figure also suggests that the economy has gained some momentum and could hold on to this new found dynamism through the second half of 2014. We find further confirmation in The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. as well as the continued strengthening of the Consumer Confidence Index, released yesterday. Job growth has driven income growth. And consumers have clearly been spending on some long-delayed purchasing plans. As a result, business investment is beginning to pick up. These gains in consumption and investment could be accompanied by better numbers on export trade in the second half of the year, provided the global economy doesn’t slow much further. In short, the economic doldrums of late 2013 and early 2014 are likely to be in the rear view mirror.”

Growth in the staffing industry is strongly correlated with GDP growth, according to research from Staffing Industry Analysts.