The U.S. economy grew for the fifth consecutive quarter, with real gross domestic product up 2 percent in the third quarter. Personal consumption, which makes up 70 percent of real GDP, increased at a 2.6 percent annual rate. Real gross private fixed investment was up an annualized 12.8 percent, and real exports rose 5 percent. Real imports, however, were up over 17 percent annually. Manufacturing output measures were mixed. Industrial production increased an annualized 2.7 percent for the quarter; the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell in September, but stayed above the key threshold of 50, signifying continued manufacturing growth.
Small Business Quarterly Indicators
