The FT had an article today reporting on a new study from the Conference Board which notes the recent slowdown in U.S. productivity growth. According to the article, the Conference Board study finds widespread evidence of slower productivity growth across industries, and concludes that the slower growth is not simply cyclical. As I have previously noted, if productivity growth has fallen back from its post-1995 rate, this is a huge deal. The numbers for the fourth quarter, which will be released early next month, will be less than 1.0 percent.
--Dean Baker