Gross Domestic Product

What exactly? A measure in the change in the market value of goods, services and structures produced in the economy.

Source: Commerce Department

Frequency: Quarterly

Released when? At 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The first-pass estimate of GDP is called the advance report and is released on the last business day of January, April, July, and October (data for prior quarter). The second-pass estimate is called the preliminary report and is released a month later; the third-pass estimate is called the final report and is released yet another month later.

Market importance: High. The actual pace at which the economy is growing or shrinking -- especially as it relates to expectations -- frequently moves markets.

Other notes: (a) The GDP release also includes a key inflation measure called the price index for gross domestic purchases. It measures the prices of everything -- including imports -- that Americans buy. (b) Personal consumption expenditures typically account for roughly 68% of GDP. Investment, government spending and net exports account for the rest.

TheStreet Glossary

TheStreet Premium Services

Jim Cramer
Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS:
Trade right alongside a Wall Street pro — enjoy access to his Charitable Trust portfolio and be sent trade alerts BEFORE he makes a move. Learn More
OptionsProfits
OptionsProfits:
Get 50+ trade ideas a week from the industry's top options experts. Plus — exclusive commentary on market trends and essential trading tools. Learn More
Real Money
Real Money:
Our team of professional Wall Street Pros — including Jim Cramer, Doug Kass, and Nicholas Vardy — delivers intelligent analysis, timely trade ideas, and colorful commentary. Learn More
Stocks Under $10
Stocks Under $10:
Break into the market with small- and mid-cap stocks... all $10 or less! David Peltier tells you exactly which low-priced stocks he's buying and selling. Learn More
Dow Jones S&P 500 NASDAQ 10-Year Note
12,454.83 1,317.82 2,837.53 17.45
Oil *
107.26
DOWN
74.92
DOWN
2.86
DOWN
1.85
DOWN
0.14
10 Yr
1.74%
SPDR Gold
152.68
-0.60%
-0.22%
-0.07%
-0.80%
Data delayed 20 minutes

Top Stories and Tools

After the Bell

Before the Bell

Booyah! Newsletter

Midday Bell

TheStreet Top 10 Stories

Winners & Losers

We respect your privacy.
Podcasts

Connect with TheStreet