Home Logon FTA Investment Managers Blog Subscribe About Us Contact Us

Search by Ticker, Keyword or CUSIP       
 
 

Blog Home
   Brian Wesbury
Chief Economist
 
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
   Bob Stein
Deputy Chief Economist
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
 
  Real GDP Growth in Q3 Was Revised Higher to a 2.9% Annual Rate
Posted Under: Data Watch • Employment • GDP • Government • Housing • Inflation • Markets • Trade • Fed Reserve • Interest Rates • Spending • Bonds • Stocks
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 

Implications:   Today’s second report on third quarter real GDP was revised higher from the initial reading a month ago, growing at a 2.9% annual rate.  The upward revision to the overall number was due to stronger consumer spending, business investment, net exports, and government purchases, which more than offset a downward revision to inventories.  Today we also received our first look at corporate profits for the third quarter, which declined 1.1% versus Q2, but are still up 4.4% from a year ago.  Profits in Q3 declined at domestic financial companies as well as from operations abroad, while rising at domestic non-financial corporations.  Moving forward, we expect further declines in corporate profits as the economy continues to re-normalize after the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus of 2020-21.  In turn, this will be a headwind for equities similar to the headwinds this year due to rising interest rates.  Regarding monetary policy, today’s inflation news shows the Federal Reserve has more work to do.  GDP inflation was revised higher to an 4.3% annual rate in Q3 versus a prior estimate of 4.1%.  GDP prices are up 7.1% from a year ago, nowhere near the Fed’s 2.0% target.  Meanwhile, nominal GDP (real GDP growth plus inflation) rose at an 7.3% annual rate in Q3 and is up 9.1% from a year ago.  In other news today, the ADP employment report showed a gain of 127,000 private-sector jobs in November. After plugging this into our model, we expect Friday’s employment report to show a nonfarm payroll gain of 183,000.  On the housing front, national price measures were mixed in September.  The FHFA index, which tracks homes financed by conforming mortgages, ticked up 0.1% in September after declines in July and August.  The FHFA index is still up 11.0% from a year ago.  The Case-Shiller index fell 0.8% in September and is up 10.6% from a year ago.  The largest declines in the past three months have been in San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego, with Miami as the only major metro area with a net gain since June.  Our forecast is that these national indexes will generally decline in the year ahead, but that the overall drop in national average prices from peak to bottom will be in the range of 5 - 10%, not the 25% debacle in the previous housing bust.  Why?  Because home prices are not far out of line with construction costs, we didn’t have massive overbuilding, and the low mortgage rates prior to 2022 will keep many existing homeowners from selling their homes.

Click here for a PDF version

Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 @ 11:23 AM • Post Link Print this post Printer Friendly

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
 
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
Follow First Trust:  
First Trust Portfolios L.P.  Member SIPC and FINRA. (Form CRS)   •  First Trust Advisors L.P. (Form CRS)
Home |  Important Legal Information |  Privacy Policy |  California Privacy Policy |  Business Continuity Plan |  FINRA BrokerCheck
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.