Q1 GDP Second Estimate: Real GDP At -5.0%

The Second Estimate for Q1 GDP, to one decimal, came in at -5.0% (-5.05% to two decimal places), a major drop from 2.1% (2.13% to two decimal places) for the Q4 Third Estimate. Investing.com had a consensus of -4.8%.

Here is the slightly abbreviated opening text from the Bureau of Economic Analysis news release:

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020, according to the “second” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The change was 0.2 percentage point lower than the “advance” estimate released in April. In the fourth quarter of 2019, real GDP increased 2.1 percent. [Full Release]

Here is a look at Quarterly GDP since Q2 1947. Prior to 1947, GDP was an annual calculation. To be more precise, the chart shows is the annualized percentage change from the preceding quarter in Real (inflation-adjusted) Gross Domestic Product. We've also included recessions, which are determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Also illustrated are the 3.18% average (arithmetic mean) and the 10-year moving average, currently at 2.12.

Quarterly GDP since 1947

 

Here is a log-scale chart of real GDP with an exponential regression, which helps us understand growth cycles since the 1947 inception of quarterly GDP. The latest number puts us 15.2% below trend.

with a Regression

 

A particularly telling representation of slowing growth in the US economy is the year-over-year rate of change. The average rate at the start of recessions is 3.35%. Four of the eleven recessions over this timeframe have begun at a lower level of current real YoY GDP.

Real GDP Year-over-Year

 

In summary, the Q1 GDP Second Estimate of -5.0 was fractionally worse than expected.

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