(Kitco News) – The U.S. economy ended the first half of 2026 on weaker footing, as economic activity was significantly lower than expected, while inflation remained stubbornly elevatedThe U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) announced on Thursday that the advance reading of second-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed that the economy expanded by 1.5%, following a 2.1% increase in the first quarter.The data was significantly lower than expectations, as economists were projecting another increase of 2.1%.

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