Usa: first quarter GDP +4.4%

The American economy has grown by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2004. The figure is especially significant as forecasts indicated growth of not more than 4.2%, but the overall favorable trend of production, public investments and unemployment has had a positive influence on the first quarterly figure for the year.

The quarterly figure on consumption was also particularly interesting, with growth of 3.9% against a quarterly average over the past ten years of not more than 3.5%. Also very important is the statistical data on company profits, up by 31.6% from March 2003 to March 2004. It is the highest growth percentage since the first quarter of 1984.

According to the analysts, the figure should allow the Us to accelerate even more in the coming months and to push annual GDP toward an even more comforting +5%.

(Source: Ice)