U.S. growth slows to 1.5% in Q2…consumer spending and AI investment remain solid

U.S. Q2 real GDP rose 1.5% annualized, missing both market expectations and the prior quarter’s pace.

Higher imports and lower government spending weighed on growth, but consumer demand helped cushion the slowdown.

Corporate investment in AI and IT stayed strong, partly offsetting the weaker headline growth.

The report suggests the U.S. economy is cooling, but not collapsing, as consumption and tech spending remain resilient.

Persistently high fuel prices and inflation could still complicate the Federal Reserve’s rate path.