The US economy expanded an annualized 1.5% in Q2 2026, below 2.1% in Q1 and forecasts of 2.1% the advance estimate from the BEA showed. The contributors were increases in consumer spending, investment, and exports that were partly offset by a decrease in government spending. Imports also went up. Compared to the first quarter, the deceleration in real GDP reflected a downturn in government spending and decelerations in investment and exports that were partly offset by an acceleration in consumer spending. Imports increased more in the second quarter than in the first quarter.