Economic Summary - March 13, 2026

Key Economic Indicators Released

On March 13, 2026, several important economic indicators were released, highlighting the current state of the U.S. economy. The focus was primarily on the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates.

PCE Inflation Data

• Core PCE Month-over-Month: 0.4% (Expected: 0.4%; Previous: 0.4%)
• Core PCE Year-over-Year: 3.1% (Expected: 3.1%; Previous: 3.0%)
• PCE Month-over-Month: 0.3% (Expected: 0.3%; Previous: 0.4%)
• PCE Year-over-Year: 2.8% (Expected: 2.9%; Previous: 2.9%)

The PCE data indicates a stable inflation rate, with core inflation remaining in line with expectations. However, the slight decrease in the overall PCE year-over-year figure suggests a potential easing in inflationary pressures.

GDP Growth Data

• GDP Quarter-over-Quarter: 0.7% (Expected: 1.4%; Previous: 4.4%)
• GDP Prices: 3.8% (Expected: 3.7%; Previous: 3.7%)

The GDP growth rate for Q4 has significantly slowed down, coming in at 0.7%, which is well below the expected 1.4%. This marks a notable decline from the previous quarter's growth of 4.4%, raising concerns about the economic momentum heading into 2026.

Durable Goods Orders

• Durables Orders Month-over-Month: 0.0% (Expected: 1.1%; Previous: -0.9%)
• Durables Orders Excluding Defense: 0.5%

The durable goods orders data shows stagnation in new orders, with a month-over-month change of 0.0%, falling short of expectations. This could indicate a slowdown in manufacturing and consumer demand.

Market Reactions

Following the release of these economic indicators, market reactions have been mixed. The EUR/USD currency pair remained muted after the stable U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, while investors are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and upcoming economic reports.