Last year, the U.S. economy grew faster than preliminary estimates indicated, thanks to slightly more exports and domestic spending. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that the 4th Quarter 2006 GDP growth rate was 2.5%, up from the 2.2% rate measured a month ago.

The important thing to keep in mind is that this revision upwards is not significant...less than half a percent. It keeps the overall growth rate for 2006 at an acceptable 3.3%, which is slightly higher than 2005 but, again, not significant.

More About GDP

• What Is GDP?
• What Are the Components of GDP?
• What Is the Ideal GDP Growth Rate?