MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US economy rebounds strongly in the second quarter: 4.2% annual rate

Domestic demand increased at a 3.1% rate, instead of the previously reported 2.8% pace. It was the fastest pace since the second quarter of 2010

The US economy rebounded more strongly than initially thought in the second quarter and details of a report on Thursday pointed to sustainable underlying strength. GDP expanded at 4.2% annual rate instead of the previously reported 4.0% pace, the Commerce Department said, reflecting upward revisions to business spending and exports.

 It was the fastest pace since the third quarter of 2013. The composition of growth in the second quarter was even more encouraging, with the sources of growth broad-based.

Domestic demand increased at a 3.1% rate, instead of the previously reported 2.8% pace. It was the fastest pace since the second quarter of 2010 and suggested the recovery was more durable after output slumped in the first quarter because of an unusually cold winter.

Gross domestic income, which measures the income side of the growth ledger, surged at a 4.7% rate, consistent with strong job gains during the quarter. That was the largest increase since the first quarter of 2012. This alternative growth measure decreased at a 0.8% pace in the first quarter.

Corporate profits rebounded from a decline that had been spurred by the expiration of a depreciation bonus.

Growth in consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, was unrevised at a 2.5% rate.

Businesses accumulated 83.9 billion worth of inventory in the second quarter, less than the initially reported 93.4 billion. That saw restocking contributing 1.39 percentage points to GDP growth rather than 1.66 percentage points.

The relatively smaller inventory build means less stock overhang, which bodes well for third-quarter GDP growth.

While trade was a drag for a second consecutive quarter, export growth was raised to a 10.1% pace from a 9.5% rate. Business spending on equipment and nonresidential structures, such as gas drilling, was revised higher.

However housing market-related spending was revised slightly down as was government spending.