US real GDP grew at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest figures in DataPorium's GDP data as of October 21, 2026, up from the 1.5% reported in the Bureau of Economic Analysis second estimate of August 26, 2026 [1][2]. First-quarter growth now stands at 2.5%, against 2.1% in August, and real output was 2.2% higher than a year earlier [1][2]. The second estimate's other headline, a $400.9 billion jump in corporate profits, remains the latest profit figure cited here; DataPorium's data hold no third-quarter GDP estimate yet [1][2].
What is the latest Q2 2026 GDP growth rate?
DataPorium's real GDP series puts the second-quarter level at $24,408.0 billion in chained (inflation-adjusted) dollars at an annual rate, up from $24,274.4 billion in the first quarter [1]. Compounded over a year, that quarterly gain is 2.2%. When this article was first published on August 31, the same series showed the second quarter at $24,269.6 billion, matching the 1.5% second estimate [1][2].
The revision was not limited to the latest quarter. The second-quarter 2025 level, for example, moved from $23,771.0 billion to $23,884.6 billion, so the whole recent history of the series has been rewritten [1]. Revisions that reach back more than a year usually come from BEA's yearly update of its source data, which can change growth rates for several past quarters at once.
| Measure (Q2 2026, annual rate) | Advance estimate | Second estimate (August 26) | Latest in DataPorium data (October 21) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real GDP growth, Q2 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| Real GDP growth, Q1 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2.5% |
| Current-dollar GDP growth, Q2 | 7.9% | 8.0% | 8.5% |
| Real GDP level, Q2 (chained dollars) | n/a | $24,269.6 billion | $24,408.0 billion |
| Corporate profits, change in Q2 | n/a | +$400.9 billion | not in DataPorium data |
Source: BEA second-estimate release of August 26, 2026 for the first two columns, except the Q2 level, which is DataPorium's series as cited here on August 31, 2026; DataPorium Economic Metrics, real GDP and GDP series, for the last column, with growth computed from the quarterly levels [1][2][3].
Was there a third estimate of Q2 2026 GDP?
BEA publishes three monthly estimates for each quarter: the advance estimate about a month after the quarter ends, the second a month later and the third a month after that, so the third estimate for the second quarter falls in late September. DataPorium's series no longer matches the August figures and now shows 2.2% growth for the quarter [1]. The official third-estimate release, with its detail on spending, prices and profits, is on BEA's website.
The next scheduled number is the advance estimate for the third quarter of 2026. As of October 21, 2026, the newest quarter in DataPorium's GDP data is still the second quarter [1].
How fast has the US economy grown in 2025 and 2026?
Growth has swung widely from quarter to quarter. The table below shows the latest figures in DataPorium's data for the last six quarters [1]:
| Quarter | Real GDP growth (annual rate) | Nominal GDP (billions, annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 0.1% | $30,172.0 |
| Q2 2025 | 4.0% | $30,630.2 |
| Q3 2025 | 3.9% | $31,180.5 |
| Q4 2025 | 0.2% | $31,462.5 |
| Q1 2026 | 2.5% | $31,906.3 |
| Q2 2026 | 2.2% | $32,563.0 |
Source: DataPorium Economic Metrics, quarterly real GDP and GDP, seasonally adjusted annual rates, as of October 21, 2026 [1]. Growth is the quarterly change in real GDP compounded to an annual rate.
Our analysis of DataPorium's GDP data shows that nominal GDP grew at an 8.5% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026 while real GDP grew 2.2%, which implies the GDP price index rose at about 6.1%, the fastest of the last six quarters.
In the first half of 2026 as a whole, real GDP grew at a 2.4% annual rate [1]. The US economy's total output, measured in current dollars, reached $32.56 trillion at an annual rate in the second quarter [1].
What did the August second estimate show?
The figures below are the second estimate as released on August 26, 2026, kept here as dated history. Real growth was left unchanged at 1.5% because an upward revision to consumer spending was offset by an upward revision to imports, which subtract from GDP [2]. Current-dollar GDP growth was revised to 8.0% from 7.9% [2]. The advance estimate had already shown private demand stronger than the headline, with real final sales to private domestic purchasers up 3.9% [3].
The price revisions mattered more for policy. The PCE price index rose at a 5.3% annual rate in the quarter, up from the 5.1% advance figure, and core PCE, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.6% instead of 3.4% [2]. Real gross domestic income (GDI), which measures output through the incomes earned rather than spending, grew 2.2%, and the average of GDP and GDI was 1.8% [2]. In hindsight, GDI was closer to the 2.2% GDP growth now shown in DataPorium's data [1][2].
Why did corporate profits jump $400.9 billion?
Profits from current production rose $400.9 billion in the second quarter, more than five times the $74.4 billion gain in the first quarter, in the second-estimate release [2]. A gain of that size reflects nominal growth: with current-dollar GDP rising 8.0% and real output 1.5% at the time, the difference was prices, and companies that raised prices faster than costs kept it [2]. The latest data widen that gap slightly, to 8.5% nominal against 2.2% real growth [1].
What did July income and spending show?
BEA released July personal income and outlays on the same morning. Personal income rose $115.1 billion, or 0.4%, and disposable income rose $125.9 billion, or 0.5% [4]. Spending grew $36.3 billion, or 0.2%, in current dollars, and after inflation real spending rose $1.3 billion, less than 0.1% [4]. Services spending rose $86.2 billion while goods spending fell $49.9 billion, and the personal saving rate rose to 3.0% from 2.7% in June [4].
The PCE price index rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier; core PCE rose 0.2% and 3.3% [4]. Both 12-month rates were unchanged from June [4].
How have Treasury yields and the Fed moved since the report?
Bond markets focused on the upward price revisions. The 2-year Treasury yield was 4.19% on August 26 and 4.34% on August 28, 2026, a rise of 0.15 point in two sessions [5]. At its September 15 to 16 meeting, the Federal Reserve raised its target range by 0.25 point to 3.75% to 4.00%, its first change of 2026 [5].
Yields kept rising after the hike. On October 20, 2026, the 2-year yield was 4.79%, the 10-year 5.12% and the 30-year 5.42%, while the 3-month bill yield was 4.26% [5]. The Fed's next scheduled decision is on October 28, 2026 [5]. Readers can follow GDP, inflation and rates on DataPorium's economic metrics pages.
Key takeaways
- Q2 2026 real GDP grew at a 2.2% annual rate in DataPorium's latest data, up from 1.5% in the August 26 second estimate [1][2].
- First-quarter 2026 growth now stands at 2.5%, against 2.1% in August, and output was 2.2% higher than a year earlier [1][2].
- Nominal GDP reached $32,563.0 billion at an annual rate in Q2 2026, growing 8.5% annualized [1].
- The second estimate showed corporate profits up $400.9 billion and quarterly core PCE inflation at 3.6% [2].
- The Fed raised rates by 0.25 point on September 16, 2026, and the 2-year yield reached 4.79% on October 20 [5].
Frequently asked questions
What was real GDP growth in Q2 2026?
Real GDP grew at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026 in DataPorium's latest data as of October 21, 2026, after 1.5% in BEA's August 26 second estimate [1][2].
Was Q2 2026 GDP revised after the second estimate?
Yes. The second-quarter level in DataPorium's series rose from $24,269.6 billion to $24,408.0 billion in chained dollars, lifting growth from 1.5% to 2.2%, and earlier quarters were revised too [1].
What is the current US GDP?
US nominal GDP was $32,563.0 billion, about $32.56 trillion, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, the newest quarter in DataPorium's data as of October 21, 2026 [1].
How much did corporate profits rise in the second quarter of 2026?
Corporate profits from current production rose $400.9 billion in Q2 2026, after a $74.4 billion gain in Q1, according to BEA's second estimate of August 26, 2026 [2].
Sources & References
- [1] DataPorium Economic Metrics (US real GDP and nominal GDP, quarterly)
- [2] BEA, GDP (Second Estimate) and Corporate Profits, 2nd Quarter 2026
- [3] BEA, GDP (Advance Estimate), 2nd Quarter 2026
- [4] BEA, Personal Income and Outlays, July 2026
- [5] DataPorium Interest Rates (Treasury yields and Fed decisions)