The USA continues to out perform Australia on the metrics that count


The economy is expanding. Real GDP grew at a 2.2% annualised rate in the second quarter, following 2.5% in the first quarter. Consumer spending and investment were important contributors.

2. Unemployment is relatively low
The US unemployment rate was 4.1% in July 2026. That indicates most people in the labour force who want work are employed,
Investment growth
3. Businesses are investing heavily
According to the US Treasury's August economic statement, business investment in equipment and intellectual property rose at nearly a 10% annualised rate in the first half of 2026. AI infrastructure, computing equipment and other productive assets are important parts of this investment story.
3.8%
Consumer spending
4. Households are still spending
Real consumer spending grew at a 3.8% annualised rate in Q2 2026, according to the revised GDP figures. Because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, this is an important sign of underlying demand.

business-sector productivity rose 3.1% over the four quarters through Q2 2026. This means businesses produced more output per hour worked, which can support economic growth, higher wages and improved competitiveness.
$4.71T
Annualised profits
2. Corporate profits are at a high level
US corporate profits from current production reached approximately $4.71 trillion at an annualised rate in Q2 2026, up from $4.33 trillion in Q1. Profitable companies can invest, hire, innovate and pay dividends.
$195.9T
Household wealth
3. American household wealth is enormous
The net worth of US households and nonprofit organisations reached $195.9 trillion in Q2 2026, after rising $12.8 trillion in the quarter. This provides a substantial financial cushion for some households and supports spending through wealth effects. However, gains were driven largely by financial assets and are unevenly distributed.
+4.6%
Private demand
4. Underlying private-sector demand is strong
Real final sales to private domestic purchasers increased at a 4.6% annualised rate in Q2 2026. This measure combines consumer spending and private fixed investment, making it a useful indicator of demand that is less affected by trade and inventory swings.
+1.1%
Durable-goods orders
5. Businesses are ordering more equipment
New orders for manufactured durable goods reached $339.3 billion in July 2026, up 1.1% from June. Durable goods include machinery and equipment that businesses use to expand productive capacity. Monthly orders can be volatile, so several months of growth would be stronger evidence than one re

aquascoot wrote on Oct 19^th, 2026 at 6:54pm:


What about inflation? Tell them about how inflation is rising under Trump and caused by his incompetent and corrupt economic policies!

Rep are highly likely to lose the house and senate in a couple of weeks ?

Guessing its Biden's fault ?

.

Frank wrote on Oct 19^th, 2026 at 8:06pm:


Don't know of any Americans who care what our inflation is. But they do care what theirs is. First the orange felon was telling everyone that inflation is bad under Biden. Then when it goes up under him, he says it's a fake thing invented by Democrats. 

Still nowhere near Clinton's,  Obama's & Bidens.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Oct 20^th, 2026 at 4:53am:



But here you are supposedly an Australian who cares only about American inflation but not ours.