Q4 2021 Economic Reports

GDP GROWTH
The nation’s gross domestic product grew by 5.7% in 2021, the fastest rate since 1984. The Commerce Department also reported in its advance estimate released in late January that growth accelerated in the fourth quarter at an annualized rate of 6.9%, following a 2.3% reading for the third quarter.

The increase reflected gains in private inventory investment, exports, personal consumption expenditures, and nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by declines in federal, state, and local government spending. There was an increase in imports, which reduces the net GDP calculation. READ MORE>

EMPLOYMENT
The US unemployment rate fell in December to a healthy 3.9%, a pandemic low. Meanwhile, employers added a modest 199,000 jobs, evidence that companies are struggling to fill positions as many Americans are reluctant to return to the workforce. The drop in the jobless rate, from 4.2% in November, indicated that many more people found work in the closing weeks of 2021. Despite the slight hiring gain reported by businesses, 651,000 more workers said they had jobs in December compared with November. READ MORE>

MONETARY POLICY
The year ended with the broad expectation that the Federal Reserve would hold to its plan to end the era of ultra-easy money. The central bank already has significantly scaled back its asset purchase program, which was put in place at the pandemic’s outset.

Consistent with previous statements regarding its intention to tighten the money supply, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced following the Federal Open Market Committee in late January that three interest rate hikes are planned for 2022. READ MORE>

GLOBAL ECONOMY
Following a strong rebound in 2021, the global economy is entering a pronounced slowdown amid fresh threats from COVID-19 variants and rising inflation, debt and income inequality that could endanger the recovery in emerging and developing economies, the World Bank said.

In the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, the lender for capital projects in low- and middle-income countries said global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5% in 2021 to 4.1% 2022 and 3.2% in 2023 as pent-up demand dissipates and as fiscal and monetary support is unwound across the world. READ MORE>