The Federal deficit is now running around 7% of GDP, powering the economy through the banking crisis which now seems to be fading, and no new problem banks have been announced.
This is inflation-adjusted, and holding up well above pre-COVID levels:
Surprising to the upside:
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment for the US unexpectedly increased to 63.5 in April of 2023 from 62 in March, beating forecasts of 62, preliminary estimates showed. A rise was seen in both current conditions (68.6 vs 66.3) and expectations (60.3 vs 59.2). Meanwhile inflation for the year-ahead is seen jumping to a five-month high of 4.6% from 3.6% while the five-year gauge was unchanged at 2.9%. While consumers have noted the easing of inflation among durable goods and cars, they still expect high inflation to persist, at least in the short run.
source
Back up to 2.5% which is very strong real growth, defying universal expectations of an interest rate induced slowdown:
