The US economy closed 2024 on a strong note, with robust real GDP growth exceeding 3% annually in the latest quarter, stable unemployment near 4%, and inflation, while remaining stubbornly high, trending lower to the FOMC’s 2% target.

The US economy has been showing signs of improvement and seems to have averted a recession for the time being. The consensus among economists is that the outlook for the fourth quarter of 2024 appears mixed, shaped by a combination of a continued moderating of inflation, a surprisingly aggressive FOMC, geopolitical risks, and the anticipation of the 2024 presidential election

The outlook for the economy this year appears promising. Consumers are contributing actively by spending sufficiently to bolster broader economic expansion. Persistently high inflation does remain a fly in the ointment, and the FOMC has stated it will not lower interest rates until inflation is on track to come back to its target level of 2%.