U.S. economic growth lost momentum in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 1.5% quarter‑on‑quarter, down from a 2.1% increase in the first quarter of the year. The fresh data, updated as of 30 July 2026, signal a moderation in the pace of expansion following a stronger start to the year.
According to the quarter‑on‑quarter comparison, the “actual” 1.5% reading reflects how much GDP grew from the first to the second quarter, while the previous 2.1% figure measured the change from the final quarter of the prior year to the first quarter of 2026. The slowdown suggests that some of the drivers that supported early‑year growth may be fading, highlighting a more cautious trajectory for the U.S. economy as it moves into the second half of 2026.
