The US gross domestic product grew by 1.6 per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to the first estimates for the US economy in January-March.
In advance, it was expected that the GDP figures would show a growth of 2.5 per cent, according to Trading Economics.
In the fourth quarter of last year, the American economy grew by 3.4 percent. In the previous quarter, growth was 4.9 per cent.
Other macro figures from the US on Thursday show a trade balance for goods of minus 91.8 billion dollars in March. The previous month’s trade deficit was also NOK 91.8 billion. The expectation now was minus 91.2 billion.
Wholesale stocks in the US fell 0.4 percent on a monthly basis in March. According to Trading Economics, the expectation was a growth of 0.2 per cent. The previous month, US wholesale stocks increased by 0.4 per cent.
Stronger job figures than expected
207,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits for the first time in the week up to and including April 20, new jobless claims figures from the US Department of Labor show. This represents a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week, and is the lowest number in more than two months.
In advance, a number of 214,000 was expected, according to Trading Economics.
The week before, the number of new Americans on unemployment benefits was 212,000.
The number of Americans who continue to receive unemployment benefits – continuing claims – was 1,781,000 per April 13.
In advance, a reading of 1,814,000 was expected here.
The continuing claims figure for the week was initially 1,812,000, but has now been revised to 1,796,000.
