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U.S. economic growth brakes sharply, rising only 0.7% as strong dollar weighs on exports

U.S. consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, increased at a 2.2 per cent rate. That marked a step-down from the 3.0 per cent pace notched in the third quarter.

WASHINGTON – U.S. economic growth braked sharply within the fourth quarter as businesses increased efforts to lessen an inventory glut and a strong dollar and tepid global demand weighed on exports.

Gross domestic product increased in a 0.7 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Friday, also as lower oil prices continued to undermine investment by energy firms and unseasonably mild weather cut into consumer paying for utilities and apparel.

The growth pace was in line with economists’ expectations and followed a 2 percent rate in the third quarter. The economy grew 2.4 percent in 2015 following a similar expansion in 2014.

But some of the impediments to growth -inventories and mild temperatures – are temporary and also the economy is anticipated to snap during the first quarter. Excluding inventories and trade, the economy grew at a 1.6 percent pace.

Nevertheless, the GDP report could spark a brand new wave of selling on the stock exchange, which has been roiled by fears of anemic development in both Usa and China.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday acknowledged that growth “slowed late this past year,” but additionally noted that “labor market conditions improved further.” The Fed, the U.S. central bank, raised interest rates in December the very first time since June 2006. Though the Fed has not ruled out another hike in March, financial markets volatility could see that delayed until June.

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