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After nearly two months of delay caused by a government shutdown, U.S. GDP data was finally released — and President Donald Trump is pointing to the surprise result as proof his economic agenda is working.
“The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social (1).
U.S. GDP grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ initial estimate (2) — the fastest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2023. The figure also handily beat economists’ expectations for a 3.2% increase (3).
The BEA said the expansion was driven by “increases in consumer spending, exports and government spending that were partly offset by a decrease in investment.” It also noted that “imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased.”
Tariffs can play a role in that dynamic by discouraging imports and reshaping trade flows. In the third quarter, a narrower trade deficit allowed net exports to add 1.59 percentage points to overall GDP growth (2).
Looking ahead, Trump is predicting even bigger gains, saying the numbers “WILL ONLY GET BETTER!”
Some economists see additional tailwinds that could help sustain the momentum. Michael Pearce, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, pointed to easing uncertainty, fiscal support and more accommodating monetary policy.
“We expect fading policy uncertainty, the boost from tax cuts and the recent loosening of monetary policy to mean the economy strengthens in 2026,” Pearce said (4).
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate three times in 2025 and economists are forecasting additional reductions in 2026 (5). By lowering borrowing costs, rate cuts can encourage consumer spending and business investment — helping support broader economic growth.
If you share this optimism, here’s a look at a few simple ways to position yourself for America’s growth in 2026 — and beyond.
The U.S. stock market has been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump has pointed to that strength, recently saying that “the only thing that’s really going up big? It’s the stock market and your 401(k)s (6).”
The benchmark S&P 500 returned 16% in 2025 and has gained roughly 83% over the past five years.
Of course, consistently picking winning stocks isn’t easy. That’s why legendary investor Warren Buffett argues that most people don’t need to pick individual companies at all to benefit from the stock market’s long-term growth.
“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett has famously stated. This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.
Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)’
Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: Link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio.
With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today with a monthly deposit, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.
Beyond stocks, real estate has long been another cornerstone of wealth-building in America.
In fact, Buffett often points to real estate when explaining what a productive, income-generating asset looks like. In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him “1% of all the apartment houses in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check (7).”
Why? Because regardless of what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.
Real estate also offers a built-in hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.
Of course, you don’t need $25 billion — or even to buy a single property outright — to invest in real estate. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
Public markets show just one side of how wealth is created. Many of the biggest and most successful tech companies remain privately held for years, growing behind the scenes and building incredible value long before the IPO bell is rung.
Venture capital is where the early bets on future giants are placed. But, for decades, venture capital has been one of the few remaining tables in finance where retail investors can’t get a seat.
Fundrise finally disrupted that dynamic a few years ago by launching a venture capital product with two goals. The first is to build a portfolio of the most valuable private tech companies in the world. The second is to make it available to as many people as possible, with investments starting at just $10.
Today, Fundrise manages billions of dollars in private market assets and their venture capital product is designed specifically for investors like you who want to get in early on transformative technologies like AI.
Check out their venture portfolio today and start investing in minutes.
At the end of the day, everyone’s financial situation is different — from income levels and investment goals to debt obligations and risk tolerance. If you’re unsure where to start, now could be the right time to get in touch with a financial advisor.
With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing so far and make sure you’ve got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.
Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.
All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals and Vanguard’s advisers will help you set a tailored plan and even help you stick to it.
Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. Because they’re fiduciaries, they don’t earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
@WhiteHouse (1); Bureau of Economic Analysis (2); NBC News (3); Reuters (4); CNBC (5, 7); @ntdtv (6)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.