1. Highlights from the
Q4 GDP Report
Wayne Best
Chief Economist
Visa Inc.
January 29, 2016
Ellen Hughes-Cromwick
Chief Economist
U.S. Department of Commerce
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2. The U.S. Economy Grew 0.7 Percent in 2015Q4
2
3.3
2.7
1.8
-0.3
-2.8
2.5
1.6
2.2
1.5
2.4 2.4
0.6
3.9
2.0
0.7
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Percent Change
Source: BEA.Annual percent change from prior year. Quarterlypercent change from prior quarter at annual rate.
3. Q4 GDP In Detail
• Real GDP grew by 0.7% in the fourth quarter of last year
• This compares with a 2.0% growth rate in the prior quarter
• For all of 2015, real GDP advanced 2.4%, matching the 2014 pace of
growth
• Looking across the economy, consumer spending growth of 2.2%
was a bright spot
• Housing construction grew by over 8% in the fourth quarter,
another strong gain
• In contrast, declines in business investment and exports served as
drags on economic performance late last year
• The economic expansion has lasted 7 ½ years and average annual
growth since it began in mid-2009 has been 2.1%
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