<p>Revised data from the Department of Commerce shows a 3% growth in GDP for the second quarter (April-June). This is a serious increase from the measly 1.2% growth we saw during Q1 and is the strongest we&rsquo;ve seen since the beginning of 2015 when growth hit 3.2%. ;</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s also exactly what Trump promised us on the campaign trail. ;</p>
<p>Data also shows a strong increase in personal consumption, which indicates a widespread feeling of financial security, and an increase in nonresidential fixed investment, which suggests bullishness on the business side. Imports also increased. ;</p>
<p>These increases were partially offset by major decreases in state and local government spending.  ;</p>
<p>In general, 2-3% growth is considered &ldquo;robust&rdquo; and is the target. Anything over 4% is too hot, possibly inflationary and definitely unstable. Below 2% is anemic and 0% or negative is considered a recession. A prolonged recession is a depression. ;</p>
<p>A single quarter of strong growth doesn&rsquo;t mean we&rsquo;ll reach an average of 3% for the entire year, and we can expect damage from Hurricane Harvey to temper growth in Q3. ;</p>
<p>Trump has promised to hit 4% or better.</p>
<p>Moody&rsquo;s Analytics economist Mark Zandi predicts a 2.1% average growth for 2017. &ldquo;For the first time since the Great Recession ended in mid-2009, the economy is not facing any significant headwinds,&rdquo; says Zandi.</p>
<p>Either way, we&rsquo;re on track to improve from 2016&rsquo;s paltry 1.5% average growth. ;</p>
<p> ;</p>