Good news from the US economy: US GDP growth was revised upwards in the fourth quarter of 2015 and went from 1% to +1,4% on an annualized basis, seasonally adjusted. Analysts had expected it to stay at +1%. However, the figure is slowing down compared to the third quarter, when their domestic product in the stars and stripes had grown by 2%. In the last three months of the year, consumption is the driving force. In 2015, US GDP grew by 2,4%. for 2016 analysts forecast a growth of 2%. The fourth quarter GDP figure reinforces the expectation of a rate hike in April.
In 2015, consumption rose by 3,1%, the largest increase since 2005. Despite the acceleration, growth of 1,4% is lower than the average of 2,2% for the first three quarters of 2015. The drop in corporate profits, which fell by 8,1%, largest since 2011. Exports fell by 2%, less than the 2,7% initially expected.
