The US economy expanded in the third quarter at the fastest pace in two years, bolstered by resilient consumer and business spending and calmer trade policies.

The economy expanded at a 4.3% annual rate in Q3 before the government shutdown likely squelched growth in the fourth quarter.

Household spending is increasingly divided between wealthy consumers who are helping to keep the economy humming and everyone else.

The data, which was delayed from October by the government shutdown, comes as the economy takes center stage for voters and the Trump administration.

Oil prices posted modest rises on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session, supported by robust U.S. economic growth and the risk of supply disruptions from Venezuela and Russia.

The kitchen sink was thrown at the economy in 2025 — punishing tariffs, higher inflation, rising unemployment — but the U.S. might still be growing at an above-average speed in a sign of surprising pluck.

Goldman Sachs expects U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 2.6% in 2026 and “substantially outperform” the consensus estimate of 2.0%,