U.S. GDP Grew 2.2% in Second Quarter; Arkansas Lagged

The Bureau of Economic Analysis’ final estimate put U.S. second-quarter 2026 GDP growth at a 2.2% annual rate, up from the previous estimate of 1.5% but below the revised 2.5% pace in the first quarter. The upgrade reflected stronger consumer spending, investment and government spending: consumer spending grew 3.8%, while business investment excluding housing rose 9%, with AI-related investment a key driver. Imports surged 12.6%, subtracting about 1.7 percentage points from growth. Arkansas grew 1.1%, ranking 34th among states and the District of Columbia, after contracting 0.3% in the first quarter; gains in durable-goods manufacturing and wholesale trade helped offset declines in transportation, retail and nondurable-goods manufacturing. Arkansas personal income rose 2.2%, below the national rate, and revised estimates indicate the state economy was weaker than previously reported.