Real gross private domestic investment (not to be confused with income) is the measure of physical investment used in computing GDP.

Real GDPI measures investment in the private economy, not under the influence of massive amounts of relatively stable government spending. It is an indicator of the future productive capacity of the economy.

Real GPDI rebounded this quarter following three negative quarters, but the trend in investment remains historically weak if not outright recessionary.

Real GPDI – Percent Change From Previous Quarter

The series is so volatile it’s difficult to tell much from that chart other than it looks very weak compared to investment in other 10-year periods.

Real GPDI – Latest 4 quarters

A better way of looking at GDPI is comparing growth to a year ago. Over time, GDPI should rise.

Real GDPI – Percent Change From Year Ago

Negative year-over-year GPDI is associated with all 11 recessions since 1950. There were three notable instances of negative GPDI where a recession did not occur. Is this the fourth?

Real GPDI 2016 – Percent Change From Year Ago

We have now had three consecutive quarters of declining year-over-year real private investment.

GDI and GPDI Recession Indicator

An even stronger recession signal is given when Real Gross Domestic Income (Real GDI) is also negative. Unfortunately GDI was not updated in today’s GDP release. It will not be available until the third estimate of third quarter GDP on December 22.

For a look at how GDI and GPDI provide a strong recession signal, please see Real GDI, GPDI Recession Indicators Take II.

Recession Off?

Today’s 2.9% third quarter GDP estimate by no means precludes a recession this year.