What is the current GDP growth rate? Also, examine the trend of
GDP growth over the past few years. What stage of the business
cycle is the U.S. economy currently in given the trend of GDP
growth? What components of GDP tend to decline significantly during
recessions (particularly during the 2008 recession), and what GDP
components rise during expansion? In other words, what aspects of
GDP are mostly affected when the economy slows down, and why?