US economy grew by 3.4 percent in the third quarter

The US economy registered an annualized growth rate of 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2026. According to Department of Commerce data, this figure exceeded the market expectation of 3.2 percent.

Growth in the US economy gained momentum in the third quarter. It was reported that resilient consumer spending and artificial intelligence-focused business investments more than offset the impact of high oil prices stemming from conflicts in the Middle East. According to the preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for the July-September period released by the US Department of Commerce, the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.4 percent.

The country's economy had recorded growth of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of the year and 2.2 percent in the second quarter. While acceleration in investments and the resurgence of public spending were effective in increasing the growth rate in the third quarter, a decline in exports partially limited this increase. Imports, which had a negative impact on GDP calculations during the same period, also showed an increase.

The personal consumption expenditures price index rose by 2.1 percent in the third quarter, staying below the market expectation of 3.4 percent; the index in question had increased by 5 percent in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the core personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy prices, recorded a 2.5 percent increase over the same period.