The US economy has suddenly been thrown into reverse as key GDP indicator flashes stunning negative forecast
The Atlanta Fed’s GDP tracker now indicates that the economy is headed for a 1.5% contraction in the first quarter, after showing 2.3% growth just days earlier. That also marks a sharp reversal from the fourth quarter, when GDP expanded by 2.3%. Several economic indicators have been raising alarms as consumers and businesses brace for Trump tariffs and federal job cuts.The US economy appeared to be on solid footing just a week and a half ago, but that has changed as several indicators are now raising red flags.
The latest and perhaps the most stunning one came on Friday, when the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow tracker showed the first quarter is on track for a 1.5% contraction. Only nine days earlier on Feb. 19, it was pointing to growth of 2.3%.
That also marks a sharp reversal from the fourth quarter, when the US economy expanded by 2.3%. Such growth had previously reinforced views of so-called American exceptionalism, as the US appeared to stand out among other major global economies like China and Europe that were mired in slowdowns.
“Increased uncertainty surrounding trade, fiscal and regulatory policy is casting a shadow over the outlook,” Lydia Boussour, a senior economist at accounting and consulting firm EY, told the Associated Press.
Other data have also sounded alarms on the economy. Jobless claims were up last week as cuts by DOGE rippled through the labor market, pending home sales hit a record low, and consumer confidence indicators sank on rising fears of tariff-fueled inflation.

The US economy has suddenly been thrown into reverse as key GDP indicator flashes stunning negative forecast
The Atlanta Fed's GDP tracker now indicates the economy is headed for a 1.5% contraction in the first quarter, after showing 2.3% growth just days earlier.