GDP Growth in Q1 Was a Disappoint but Q2 Appears Better… The last time we provided an economic update, in April, GDP growth in the first quarter of 2017 appeared to have slowed compared to second half of 2016.  The numbers are now out and GDP did slow in Q1 to 1.2% compared to 2.1% in Q4 of 2016.  Slower growth in the first quarter was attributed to slower consumer spending and a decline in inventory accumulation by businesses.  Consumer spending in Q1 was estimated to have grown only 0.6% compared to Q1 of 2016 which is indeed a negative […]