US economy grows at brisk 3.4% pace in third quarter on strong consumer spending and AI investment
A shopper looks at appliances at a hardware store Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Dallas. Credit: AP/LM Otero
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a healthy 3.4% annual pace from July through September, accelerating from the second quarter on strong consumer spending and investment in artificial intelligence.
The expansion in third-quarter gross domestic product – the nation’s output of goods and services – was faster than the 2.2% growth registered from April through June, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Consumer spending rose at a brisk 3.8% clip in the third quarter, and business investment was up sharply, reflecting the AI boom.
The American economy – by far, the world’s biggest – has proven resilient in the face of higher energy prices caused by the fighting with Iran.
Economists had expected GDP to grow 3% in the third quarter, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet.
U.S. growth has been lifted by an AI investment boom. Business investment, excluding housing, was up 12.7% in the third quarter. Investment in information processing equipment surged 37.4%, in software 9.6% and in research and development 7.5%.
However, housing investment, hurt by high mortgage rates, dropped 3.3% and has now fallen six of the last seven quarters.
Thursday’s report was the first of three Commerce Department estimates of third-quarter GDP growth.
Vehicles are seen at the Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Preparation Center at the Port of Baltimore, where new Mercedes-Benz vehicle imports are processed before distribution to dealerships, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in Baltimore. Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
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