Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, surged at a record high of 41 percent (vs 40.6 percent in the second estimate), after a record 33.2 percent fall in the previous quarter. Personal spending was driven mainly by services (led by health care as well as food services and accommodations) and goods (led by clothing and footwear and motor vehicles and parts). Spending jumped slightly less than expected for durable goods (82.7 percent vs 82.9 percent in the second estimate) but rose faster for nondurables (31.1 percent vs 30.6 percent in the second estimate) and services (38 percent vs 37.6 percent in the second estimate).
Business investment growth was revised higher to 22.9 percent (vs 21.8 percent in the second estimate), due to intellectual property/software (8.4 percent vs 6 percent) and equipment (68.2 percent vs 66.6 percent), namely transport equipment while investment in structures (-17.4 percent vs -15.8 percent) fell more than anticipated. Residential investment was also revised higher to 63 percent rise, compared to 62.3 percent, primarily reflecting an increase in brokers’ commissions and other ownership transfer costs.
Inventories added 6.57 percentage points to growth, slightly higher than 6.55 percentage points in the second estimate. Private inventory investment primarily reflected an increase in retail trade (led by motor vehicle dealers).
Exports jumped 59.6 percent, less than 60.5 percent in the second estimate and were mainly boosted by sales of automotive vehicles, engines, and parts as well as capital goods. Imports increased 93.1 percent (the same as in the second estimate), making the contribution from net trade negative (-3.21 percentage pointsvs -3.18 percentage points).
Federal government spending went down 6.2 percent, the same as in the second estimate.