The BEA Wire | BEA's Official Blog

GDP Up Slightly in First Quarter

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2014, real GDP increased 2.2 percent. In the first quarter, the dollar strengthened against major currencies, imports and exports were delayed because of labor disputes in key ports, energy prices declined, and several regions experienced severe weather…

Nondurable Goods Manufacturing Led Growth in the Fourth Quarter Gross Domestic Product by Industry

Nondurable goods manufacturing was the leading contributor to U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2014. Both private goods- and services-producing sectors contributed to the increase, while the government sector decreased. Overall, 15 of 22 industry groups contributed to the 2.2 percent increase in real GDP.

BEA Tool Allows Businesses to Estimate the Economic Impact of Disasters

When a disaster strikes, understanding the economic impact on the affected community is a key to developing a recovery plan. BEA’s regional input-output modeling, RIMS II, provides disaster recovery officials a tool to model the impact on an affected community.

Timelier, more accurate data: the Commerce Department's statistical agencies deliver on promise of better data for better decision-making

The Economics and Statistics Administration’s family of statistical agencies – the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and U.S. Census Bureau – are announcing an important new initiative that will lead to an acceleration of key trade data as well as improved accuracy of the advance estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is widely considered the most important measure of the U.S. economy.

February 2015 Trade Gap is $35.4 Billion

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in February 2015 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $42.7 billion in January (revised) to $35.4 billion in February, as imports decreased more than exports. The previously published January deficit was $41.8 billion. The goods deficit decreased $7.4 billion from January to $55.2 billion in February. The services surplus…

Advance Trade Data Aim to Improve First Estimate of Quarterly GDP

The Census Bureau’s plans to produce an advance monthly report on international trade in goods will allow the Bureau of Economic Analysis to incorporate three months of official trade data into its first estimate of quarterly Gross Domestic Product, helping to improve the accuracy of this major economic measure.

BEA Director Brian Moyer praised the move as an example of cross-agency collaboration.

Value of U.S. Liabilities Increased More Than U.S. Assets in Fourth Quarter

The U.S. net international investment position was -$6,915.3 billion (preliminary) at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014 as the value of U.S. liabilities exceeded the value of U.S. assets. At the end of the third quarter, the net position was -$6,129.4 billion (revised).

Value of U.S. Liabilities Increased More than U.S. Assets in 2014

The U.S. net international investment position was -$6,915.3 billion (preliminary) at the end of 2014 as the value of U.S. liabilities exceeded the value of U.S. assets. At the end of 2013, the net position was -$5,383.0 billion.

Personal Savings Rate Rises in February

Personal income rose 0.4 percent in February, the same increase as in January. Wages and salaries, the largest component of personal income, rose 0.3 percent in February after rising 0.6 percent in January.

Current-dollar disposable personal income (DPI), after-tax income, rose 0.4 percent in February after rising 0.5 percent in January.

Real DPI, income adjusted for taxes and inflation, increased 0.2…

GDP Increases in Fourth Quarter

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The growth rate was the same in the “second” estimate released in February. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 5.0 percent.

Fourth-quarter GDP highlights Consumer spending more than accounted for the increase in GDP, rising 4.4 percent, compared with 3.2 percent in…

State Personal Income: Fourth Quarter 2014

State personal income grew 1.0 percent on average in the fourth quarter of 2014, the same average growth rate as in the third quarter. The acceleration in personal income growth in Florida, Texas, and 30 other states was offset by a slowdown in 15 states, including California and New York. Growth rates ranged from 0.6 percent in Louisiana to 1.5 percent in Texas. The national price index for personal consumption expenditures fell 0.1 percent…

State Personal Income 2014

Average state personal income growth accelerated to 3.9 percent in 2014 from 2.0 percent in 2013. Growth of state personal income – the sum of net earnings by place of residence, property income, and personal current transfer receipts – ranged from 0.5 percent Nebraska to 5.7 percent in Alaska and Oregon, with 45 states growing faster in 2014 than in 2013. Inflation, as measured by the national price index for personal consumption…