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GDP Report

Trading Term

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Report, issued quarterly by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), measures the total value of all goods and services produced within the U.S. economy. It is the most comprehensive indicator of economic activity and growth. GDP is often presented in both nominal (current-dollar) and real (inflation-adjusted) terms, with real GDP used to track changes in output over time.

The report breaks GDP into its main components: consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports (exports minus imports). Analysts and policymakers use this breakdown to identify the key drivers of growth or contraction. For example, a decline in consumer spending may indicate weakening demand, while a surge in exports could point to global competitiveness. Quarterly GDP releases also include revisions, with initial estimates updated as more complete data becomes available.

GDP growth (or contraction) is closely watched by financial markets, the Federal Reserve, and policymakers. Sustained negative growth over two quarters is often used as a rule-of-thumb definition of a recession, although formal recession declarations consider broader indicators. The GDP report plays a central role in determining interest rate policy, fiscal stimulus, and investment sentiment.

GDP Report

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