Real GDP rose 2.8% q/q (saar) in Q3, according to the first estimate, above our forecast and the consensus (both 2.0%). However, given that the majority of the upside surprise relative to our forecast reflected inventory accumulation (which contributed 0.8pp), we would suggest taking the apparent acceleration in growth with some caution. Indeed, growth in final sales to domestic purchasers (GDP excluding external trade and inventories and, hence, a clearer measure of final domestic demand) slowed to 1.7% from 2.1% (Figure 1). Within domestic demand, strength in residential investment (14.6%) and structures investment (12.3%) are encouraging signs that construction activity is on a sustainable upward trend, following the sharp declines during the recession. However, a decline in equipment investment (-3.7%) provided a partial offset and suggests that business demand remains soft, despite gains in corporate profits. Private consumption rose 1.5%, close to our forecast. The mild slowdown compared with Q2 (1.8%) and Q1 (2.3%) is consistent with a delayed response from households to tax hikes at the start of the year. Real disposable income was up 2.5% in Q3; hence, the saving rate rose modestly, by two-tenths to 4.7%. Government expenditure increased 0.2%, with a decline in federal spending (-1.7%) offset by an increase at the state and local level (1.5%), the largest since 2009. Finally, net trade added 0.3pp, with growth in exports (4.5%) exceeding that in imports (1.9%). On the prices side, the GDP price index rose 1.9% (and nominal GDP 4.8%). The PCE price index was up 1.9% and the core 1.4%.