The U.S. economy showed unexpected strength in the second quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product (GDP) revised upward to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%, according to new data released Thursday. The figure beats the governmentโ€™s initial estimate of 3.0% and outpaces economistsโ€™ forecast of 3.1%.

One of the most significant drivers of this growth was a sharp 30.3% decline in imports, paired with a 1.6% rise in consumer spendingโ€”a sign that households remain active despite lingering concerns about inflation and high borrowing costs. The strong rebound contrasts sharply with the 0.5% contraction recorded in the first quarter.

Inflation has also cooled, revised downward to 2% on a quarterly basisโ€”closely aligning with the Federal Reserveโ€™s long-standing target rate. On a year-over-year basis, inflation remains slightly elevated at 2.5%, but analysts view the trend as a positive sign for monetary policy stability.

Corporate America also delivered encouraging news, with profits rising by $65.5 billion in Q2, boosting market optimism.

Still, some economists warn against celebrating too early. Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, noted that while headline numbers look strong, they may be masking underlying weaknesses in trade policy and domestic demand. โ€œThis growth is encouraging, but the foundation is not as solid as it appears,โ€ Daco cautioned.

For now, however, the U.S. economy appears to be striking a balance between growth and inflation control, raising hopes for a more stable second half of 2025.