Suitably Flip

GDPick'em

So how fast do you think the economy is growing?

Here's your chance to weigh in alongside the Wall Street analysts and show them you can throw darts as well as they can.  Friday morning at 8:30, the Commerce Department will release the advance GDP reading for the 2nd quarter of 2006.  Most believe the pace of growth slowed considerably from the breakneck 5.6% real growth we experienced in the first quarter.  But by how much?

Make your guess in the comments section.  Bear in mind the following:

--  State growth rate in real terms (subtracting inflation)
--  Analysts expect:  3.0%
--  Recent GDP growth rates:

• 1Q 2006:  5.6%
• 4Q 2005:  1.7%
• 3Q 2005:  4.1%
• 2Q 2005:  3.3%

For my money, in light of the number of companies whose earnings have recently busted 2nd quarter expectations, and given the fact that June durable goods orders came in well higher than expected today, I'm going to say that we easily eclipse expectations and clock in at a healthy jog of 3.6%.

Update:  Close... but I'm way off.  2.5%.

Comments

GDPick'em

So how fast do you think the economy is growing?

Here's your chance to weigh in alongside the Wall Street analysts and show them you can throw darts as well as they can.  Friday morning at 8:30, the Commerce Department will release the advance GDP reading for the 2nd quarter of 2006.  Most believe the pace of growth slowed considerably from the breakneck 5.6% real growth we experienced in the first quarter.  But by how much?

Make your guess in the comments section.  Bear in mind the following:

--  State growth rate in real terms (subtracting inflation)
--  Analysts expect:  3.0%
--  Recent GDP growth rates:

• 1Q 2006:  5.6%
• 4Q 2005:  1.7%
• 3Q 2005:  4.1%
• 2Q 2005:  3.3%

For my money, in light of the number of companies whose earnings have recently busted 2nd quarter expectations, and given the fact that June durable goods orders came in well higher than expected today, I'm going to say that we easily eclipse expectations and clock in at a healthy jog of 3.6%.

Update:  Close... but I'm way off.  2.5%.