US Q3 GDP Advance Estimate Beats at +3.4%; September PCE Inflation Hits 3.6%

BEA's advance estimate put Q3 2026 real GDP growth at 3.4% annualized, up from 2.2% in Q2 and above the ~3.2% forecast. The quarterly PCE price index rose 2.1% (core 2.5%), down from 5.0% and 3.3% in Q2. September monthly data showed headline PCE +0.5% m/m and 3.6% y/y, core +0.3% m/m and 3.1% y/y, keeping a December Fed hike in focus after the Oct 28 hold.