U.S. economic growth slowed in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 1.5% quarter-over-quarter, down from a 2.1% increase in the previous quarter. The latest data, updated on 26 August 2026, show a clear moderation in the pace of expansion compared with the prior period’s performance.
The previous reading of 2.1% for the first quarter represented growth versus the final quarter of the prior year, while the current 1.5% figure reflects the change from the first to the second quarter of 2026. This quarter-over-quarter deceleration suggests a softer momentum in the U.S. economy as the year progresses, potentially sharpening investor and policymaker focus on the durability of domestic demand and the outlook for the second half of 2026.
