BEA Raises 3rd Quarter 2012 GDP Growth Estimate Once Again to 3.09%

by Rick Davis, Consumer Metrics Institute In their third (and "final") estimate of the US GDP for the third quarter of 2012 the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) found that the economy was growing at a 3.09% annualized rate, an upward revision of +0.42% from the previously published estimate for that quarter and 1.83% better than the second quarter of 2012. The improved headline number came primarily from substantial upward revisions to exports, consumer services and government expenditures, and a decrease in imports. Minor upward revisions in consumer goods and fixed investments was offset by a downward revision to inventories. The annualized growth rate for the BEA's bottom line "real final sales of domestic product" was also revised up significantly to 2.36%.   Read more »