Growth forecasts continue to be moderate if not better than that, says Stanford's Jared Bernstein

Economic Growth and Consumer Behavior - The GDP growth rate is reported at 4.3%, which is better than expected, indicating resilience in consumer spending despite concerns about wage growth and economic disruptions [2][3][11] - Consumer spending remains strong, although it is uneven, with the top earners driving most of the spending, reflecting a K-shaped recovery [4][11] Investment Trends - Investment has been robust, particularly in AI, which continues to support economic growth, although there has been a slight weakening in overall investment during the quarter [3][12] - There is an expectation for capital spending to become a growth engine next year as financial conditions ease and uncertainty diminishes, broadening investment beyond just AI leaders [12] Policy Impacts - Tariff policies are viewed as problematic, contributing to increased costs for consumers, which affects affordability in essential areas such as healthcare and housing [5][6] - The interaction of various policies, including immigration and tariffs, complicates the economic landscape, making it challenging to forecast future outcomes [7][8] Labor Market and Employment - The labor market has shown signs of weakening, with slower wage growth particularly affecting lower-income workers, which could impact overall consumer spending [4][11] - There is a concern that employment slowdowns may hinder investment growth, although potential Federal Reserve easing could mitigate some of these effects [13]