Search ForexCrunch

The first estimate of US Q1 GDP came in at 2.3% q-o-q saar and incoming data since then suggest that the Q2 GDP growth will likely be lowered to 2.1% q-o-q saar in the second release by the BEA, according to analysts at Nomura.

Key Quotes

“Annual revisions to manufacturers’ inventories by the Census Bureau lowered inventory build-up at factories in Q1. In addition, the advance release of the Quarterly Services Survey for Q1 suggests weaker-than-expected consumer spending on services relative to the BEA’s assumptions, while business investment in intellectual properties may have been greater. Taken together, the net effect was likely negative.”

Advance goods trade balance and inventories: Trade deficit narrowed in March as exports rose sharply and outpaced imports. Imports slowed in March, reverting gains in February. We think that a strong increase in goods exports in March likely reverted in April while goods imports rebounded, and we forecast a modest widening in the goods trade deficit to $69.8bn, from $68.3bn.”