Economic Growth Strongest in a Decade

Gross domestic product rose at a 3.9 annualized rate during the third quarter of the year, marking the strongest six-month stretch for the U.S. economy in a decade. GDP also showed the largest back-to-back quarterly growth since 2003. The growth rate surpassed the predicted 3.5 percent, though it was smaller than the second quarter’s 4.6 percent increase. Higher consumer spending and business investments contributed to the better-than-expected economic growth.