GDP & Growth · August 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Advance GDP Estimate: U.S. Real GDP Grew 1.5% in Q2

Published August 5, 2026 • Updated August 21, 2026

BEA’s advance estimate puts second-quarter real GDP growth below the first-quarter pace, while private domestic final sales strengthened and price indexes rose faster.

CONFIRMED FACTS The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that real gross domestic product increased at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, after a 2.1% annual-rate increase in the first quarter. This is BEA’s advance estimate for April through June. BEA attributed the second-quarter increase to consumer spending, investment, and exports. Those contributions were partly offset by a decrease in government spending. Imports increased; in the national-income accounts, imports are subtracted when calculating GDP. Real final sales to private domestic purchasers—consumer spending plus gross private fixed investment—rose at a 3.9% annual rate, versus 1.7% in the first quarter. The gross domestic purchases price index rose 5.7% at an annual rate, and the PCE price index rose 5.1%; the PCE price index excluding food and energy rose 3.4%. ANALYSIS The headline GDP growth rate slowed from the first quarter, but BEA’s private-domestic-final-sales measure was stronger. That combination means the details of spending, investment, trade, and government outlays matter more than the headline alone when assessing the quarter. The reported price-index increases also show that the growth estimate and the inflation measures in the release should be read together, not as a single measure of household purchasing power. UNKNOWNS AND LIMITS This is an advance estimate, not the final reading. BEA states that later estimates will incorporate more complete source data, so the level and composition of growth may be revised. The release does not by itself establish a durable growth trend, explain outcomes for every household or industry, or provide a forecast for the next quarter. UPDATE LOG Published August 5, 2026 after review of BEA’s July 30, 2026 advance-estimate release. Source accessed August 5, 2026.

Follow the data

Relevant directory links appear to be unassigned.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — GDP (Advance Estimate), 2nd Quarter 2026 — Primary release. Released July 30, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. EDT; accessed August 5, 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — U.S. Economy at a Glance — BEA’s current summary page, accessed August 5, 2026.

Related News

U.S. Consumer Price Index Increases 0.4% in August 2026 as Energy Costs Accelerate

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in August 2026, up from 0.1 percent in July. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index grew 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment, remaining unchanged from the annual pace recorded in July. Gasoline prices accounted for more than one-third of the monthly gain, rising 3.9 percent. Meanwhile, core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3 percent month-over-month and 2.4 percent on a 12-month basis.

U.S. Consumer Price Index Rises 0.4% in August as Gasoline Prices Accelerate Inflation

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in August 2026, accelerating from a 0.1 percent gain in July. On an unadjusted basis, the headline all-items index rose 3.4 percent over the 12 months ending August, matching the annual pace recorded in the prior month. The monthly increase was primarily driven by energy costs, as gasoline prices jumped 3.9 percent and accounted for over one-third of the headline monthly increase. Meanwhile, core CPI—which excludes food and energy components—rose 0.3 percent month-over-month and 2.4 percent year-over-year, reflecting modest upward pressure in shelter and transportation services.

U.S. Consumer Price Index Rose 0.4 Percent in August 2026 as Energy Costs Rebounded

The U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.4 percent month-over-month in August 2026 on a seasonally adjusted basis, driven significantly by a 3.9 percent surge in gasoline prices, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the 12 months ending August 2026, total CPI rose 3.4 percent unadjusted, matching the annual pace recorded in July. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3 percent for the month and 2.4 percent year-over-year.