On Apr 25, the Department of Commerce reported a series of economic data for first-quarter 2024, which raised concerns regarding the health of the economy and persisting inflation. U.S. GDP grew at a 1.6% annualized pace, well below the consensus estimate of 2.5%. GDP increased 3.4% and 4.9% year over year, respectively, in the fourth and third quarters 2023. In 2023, the economy grew 2.5% year over year. Consumer spending – the largest driver of GDP – increased 2.5% in first-quarter 2024, lagging the 3% co ...