Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) vs Personal Consumption Expenditures (Monthly Change)
Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) is currently 3.8% (down -0.9%). Personal Consumption Expenditures (Monthly Change) is currently 0.4% (up +0.6%).
| Metric | Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) | Personal Consumption Expenditures (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 3.8% | 0.4% |
| Previous reading | 4.7% | -0.2% |
| Change | -0.9% | +0.6% |
| Trend | down | up |
| Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Economic Analysis | Bureau of Economic Analysis |
| Last updated | 2026-03-27 | 2026-03-28 |
| Category | growth | consumer |
What Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) measures
Business fixed investment measures spending by businesses on structures (factories, offices), equipment, and intellectual property products (software, R&D). It reflects corporate confidence in future demand and is a key component of GDP.
Business investment grew at 3.8% annualized — positive but decelerating from 4.7% last quarter. AI-related capital expenditure (data centers, chips, software) is a bright spot, while traditional equipment investment is more muted. For executives, sustained investment growth signals corporate confidence, but the deceleration suggests some companies are becoming more cautious amid tariff uncertainty and tight financial conditions.
What Personal Consumption Expenditures (Monthly Change) measures
Personal Consumption Expenditures measures the monthly change in household spending on goods and services. Consumer spending represents approximately 70% of U.S. GDP, making it the single largest driver of economic activity.
Consumer spending rebounded 0.4% in March after a rare decline in February, suggesting the consumer remains resilient despite falling confidence. For executives, the discrepancy between weak confidence surveys and solid spending data is a puzzle worth watching — consumers may be expressing anxiety while still spending. If spending follows confidence lower, it would be a significant drag on GDP growth.
Frequently asked
Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) is currently 3.8%, down -0.9% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, updated quarterly.
Personal Consumption Expenditures (Monthly Change) is currently 0.4%, up +0.6% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, updated monthly.
Business investment grew at 3.8% annualized — positive but decelerating from 4.7% last quarter. AI-related capital expenditure (data centers, chips, software) is a bright spot, while traditional equip Consumer spending rebounded 0.4% in March after a rare decline in February, suggesting the consumer remains resilient despite falling confidence. For executives, the discrepancy between weak confidenc