U.S. economy grew 3.4% annualized in third quarter
Annualized growth and an early estimate.
- Event / announcement date
- 2026-10-29
BEA’s October 29 advance estimate put third-quarter real GDP growth at 3.4% annualized, or 0.8% over the quarter. Investment increased, including inventories and equipment, while exports fell. Real final sales to private domestic purchasers, combining consumer spending and fixed investment, rose 4.9% annualized. [1]
BEA’s annualization guide explains that the quarterly pace is compounded over four quarters. The 3.4% figure therefore describes a rate, not output already gained over a full year. That convention enables comparisons with annual growth. [2]
The accompanying GDP guide says advance estimates use incomplete source data. Second and third vintages incorporate fuller information. Average advance-to-third revisions were 0.6 percentage points over 1996–2025, without regard to sign. That history describes revision size, not a forecast for this quarter. [3]
The source
- BEA: Third-quarter GDP ↗
Source date 2026-10-29 · reviewed October 29, 2026 · publication - BEA: Annualized growth ↗
Source date 2006-01-13 · reviewed October 29, 2026 · publication - BEA: GDP estimates ↗
Undated reference · reviewed October 29, 2026 · Undated reference.
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