1% of that was replenishing inventories.
Real personal consumption expenditures increased 3.2 percent in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 1.8 percent in the fourth. Durable goods increased 8.1 percent, compared with an increase of 13.6 percent. Nondurable goods increased 1.0 percent, compared with an increase of 0.1 percent. Services increased 3.1 percent, compared with an increase of 0.6 percent.
Real federal government consumption expenditures and gross investment decreased 8.4 percent in the first quarter, compared with a decrease of 14.8 percent in the fourth. National defense decreased 11.5 percent, compared with a decrease of 22.1 percent. Nondefense decreased 2.0 percent, in contrast to an increase of 1.7 percent. Real state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment decreased 1.2 percent, compared with a decrease of 1.5 percent.
Calculated Risk:
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased at a 3.2% annualized rate, and residential investment increased 12.6%. However equipment and software increased only 3.0%, and non-residential investment in structures declined slightly.
“Change in private inventories” added 1.03 percentage points to GDP in Q1 (reversing most of the decline last quarter), and the Federal government subtracted 0.65 percentage points (mostly a decrease in defense spending). State and local governments continued to decline.
This was below expectations of a 3.1% growth rate, but domestic demand was decent with PCE and private investment increasing. I’ll have more on GDP later ...