Why Real GDP Growth Slowed to 1.5 Percent While Inflation Cools

The U.S. economy grew at just 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1 percent in the first. Meanwhile, CPI has fallen for three straight months and core PCE remains sticky. Lucas and Luna unpack the divergence: why real growth is slowing even as inflation cools, and what it means for the Fed's next move. They look at the July jobs report, which showed a loss of 23,000 jobs, and the latest JOLTS data showing job openings at 7.4 million. They also examine the role of inventories, which rose to $2.7 trillion, and whether the economy is heading for a soft landing or a stall. If you've ever wondered why the GDP deflator and core PCE tell different stories, or why jobless claims are low while hiring is weak, this episode breaks it down with clear examples and a dose of healthy skepticism. #GDP #RealGDP #Inflation #CPIData #CorePCE #FederalReserve #JobsReport #JOLTS #EconomicGrowth #SoftLanding #Economics #MacroData #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #EconomicIndicators #LaborMarket #FedPolicy #DataAnalysis Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo