21:59 - 30.07.2026

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July 30, Fineko/abc.az. The US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, coming in below market expectations of 2%. In the first quarter, GDP growth stood at 2.1%.

While a decline in net exports weighed on the headline figure, strong consumer spending and corporate investments provided crucial support to underlying economic activity.

Key Highlights:

• Consumer Spending Rebounds: Personal consumption expenditures, which account for about two-thirds of the economy, surged by 3,2%, buoyed by falling gasoline prices, tax refunds, and promotional sales.

• AI Investment Boom: Business investment continued to surge, driven by heavy capital spending from tech giants like Meta Platforms and Microsoft on AI infrastructure and data centers.

• Geopolitical Resilience: The economy effectively absorbed shocks stemming from the Middle East conflict, offsetting price pressures with solid domestic demand.