U.S. GDP Growth Accelerates to 3.4% in Q3 2026, Personal Spending Rises

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2026, an acceleration from the 2.2 percent increase in the second quarter. This advance estimate indicates stronger economic activity, driven by increases in investment, consumer spending, and government spending. Additionally, personal income rose by 0.2 percent and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased by 0.5 percent in September. These figures provide a current snapshot of the U.S. economic health, influencing inflation and monetary policy expectations.