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U.S. GDP fizzles in the fourth quarter
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The economy bogged down at the end of 2015, raising questions about whether U.S. growth is losing momentum.Gross domestic product — the value of everything a nation produces — expanded at a 0.7% annual rate from October to December.
That’s a big markdown from 2% growth in the fall and 3.9% last spring.The economy expanded at a 2.4% clip last year, the same as in 2014, the Commerce Department said. The U.S. hasn’t topped 3% growth since 2005. Softer consumer spending, falling exports and a smaller buildup in business inventories were largely the cause of the fourth-quarter slowdown, fresh government data showed. Inflation waned again.
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I think it is clear that growth is slowing. Yet, as we've seen in the past two weeks, our major corporations have seen some pretty sweet earnings, yet at the same time, projected revenue is down.
Last night, the Bank of Japan injected so much liquidity into their economy, that they've moved into negative interest rate territory. Janet Yellen has indicated that the quarter point increase in the prime rate is probably all we'll see this year.
I personally believe this is the reason you stay in stocks, despite the volatility. I mean, where else can you put your money?
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We are part of a global economy. That we have slowed should not really come as a huge surprise.