The U.S. economy almost stalled, but inflation still stayed too hot for an easy Fed rescue

The U.S. economy entered 2026 with far less momentum than markets had priced in a few months earlier. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, fourth quarter 2025 GDP growth was revised down to 0.5%, a sharp step down from the 4.4% pace recorded in the third quarter. On its own, that revision would usually [ ]