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

U.S. real GDP grew at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, revised up from the prior estimate of 1.5% but below the first quarter’s 2.5% pace. The upgrade reflected stronger consumer, investment and government spending; consumer spending grew 3.8%, and business investment excluding housing rose 9%, with AI-related spending a key contributor. Imports climbed 12.6%, subtracting about 1.7 percentage points from growth, while real estate, information, durable-goods manufacturing, and finance and insurance were among the leading industry contributors. Arkansas grew 1.1%, ranking 34th among states and the District of Columbia after contracting in the first quarter; gains in durable-goods manufacturing and wholesale trade partly offset declines in other sectors. Arkansas personal income grew 2.2%, below the national rate, and revised estimates showed the state’s economy was weaker than previously reported.