GDP growth falls short of initial estimates, but economist Claudia Sahm weighs in on the impact of GDP figures on current economic outlooks

In the first quarter of 2024, the US GDP grew by 1.6%, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, this growth fell short of initial estimates. With interest rates and inflation remaining high, the GDP print raises questions about the strength of the US economy.

Sahm Consulting founder Claudia Sahm explains how GDP figures factor into current economic outlooks, especially as the Federal Reserve works to lower inflation rates. Sahm notes that while imports and inventories had an impact on the GDP growth, they are not significant enough to change the overall view of the economy.

Despite this, Sahm believes that the strong underlying pace of the economy is favorable for the Fed. She suggests that the Fed can rely on a strong economy to guide its decisions moving forward. Sahm emphasizes that