🇺🇸📊 US Economy: Growth Slowing, But Demand Holds Steady!

Recent data shows that the growth rate of the US economy is slowing:

🔹 GDP for the 4th quarter +2.3% (forecast matched, but below the previous 3.1%).

🔹 GDP sales remain stable at 3.2%, indicating sustained consumer demand.

📉 Labor Market Under Pressure

The number of initial unemployment claims rose to 242 thousand (above the forecast of 222 thousand), which may indicate a weakening labor market.

🛒 Consumer Sector – Mixed Signals

✅ Orders for durable goods increased by 3.1% (forecast 2%, previous -1.8%).

❌ Orders for core goods – 0% (forecast 0.2%), indicating business caution.

💸 Inflationary Pressure Intensifies

🔴 GDP price index rose to 2.4% (forecast 2.2%).

🔴 PCE prices accelerated to 2.4%, and core to 2.7% (above expectations).

📌 Conclusion: The growth of the US economy is slowing, but inflation is regaining strength. This could change market expectations regarding Fed rate cuts. Whether to expect a soft policy is an open question.