MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US economy expands 3.1% in fourth quarter and totals 2.9% in 2010

Consumer spending grew at an annualized rate of 4% in Q4

The United States economy grew more quickly than previously estimated in the fourth quarter as businesses maintained fairly solid spending and restocked shelves to meet rising demand, while corporate profits increased 3.3%, a government report showed.

GDP growth was revised up to an annualized rate of 3.1% the Commerce Department said in its final estimate, close to its initial estimate of 3.2% published two months ago and up from its tally of 2.8% made in February.

Economists had expected GDP growth, which measures total goods and services output within US borders, to be revised up to a 3.0% pace. The economy expanded at a 2.6% rate in the third quarter. For the whole of 2010, the economy grew 2.9%, while corporate profits grew 20.4%, the most since 2004.

Data so far suggest the US economy maintained this growth pace in the first quarter, but there are concerns that rising oil prices could crimp consumer spending and slow the economic recovery.

The pick-up in growth has been acknowledged by the Federal Reserve, which injected massive amounts of money into the economy to stimulate demand. The US central bank is expected to conclude its 600 billion government bond-buying program at the end of June.

The government raised fourth-quarter growth estimates to reflect stronger business spending and inventory accumulation than previously forecast.

Business investment rose at a 7.7% rate instead of 5.3%, lifted by spending on equipment and software, as well as on structures. Spending grew at a 10.0% pace in the third quarter.

Consumer spending -- which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity -- grew at a 4% rate in the final three months of 2010 instead of 4.1%. It was still the fastest since the last three months of 2006 and was an acceleration from the third quarter's 2.4% rate.

The growth in exports was not as strong as previously estimated, while imports were revised a touch down. Trade added 3.27% points to GDP growth instead of 3.35%. Government spending contracted at a 1.7% rate rather than 1.5%, due to weak state and local government outlays.

The GDP report confirmed a pick-up in inflation pressures on surging food and gasoline prices. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose at a revised 1.7% rate in the fourth quarter instead of 1.8%. That compared to third quarter's 0.8% increase.
But a “core” price index closely watched by the Fed advanced at a revised 0.4% rate instead of 0.5%. The increase was the smallest rise on record.