GDP Drop Worst in 26 Years

Worse than anticipated
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 27, 2009 8:09 AM CST
GDP Drop Worst in 26 Years
People exit work in the financial district October 30, 2008 in New York City.   (Getty Images)

The US economy contracted at a staggering 6.2% pace at the end of 2008, the worst showing in more than a quarter-century, as consumers and businesses ratcheted back spending, plunging the country deeper into recession. That's drastically worse than the 3.8% the government originally estimated, and the 5.4% economists predicted. Looking ahead, economists predict consumers and businesses will keep cutting back spending, making the first six months of this year especially rocky.

The new report offered grim proof that the economy's tailspin accelerated in the fourth quarter under a slew of negative forces feeding on each other. The economy started off 2008 on feeble footing, picked up a bit of speed in the spring, and then contracted at an annualized rate of 0.5 percent in the third quarter. Before today's report was released, many were projecting an annualized drop of 5% this quarter. But given the dismal state of the jobs market, an even sharper decline now looks possible.
(More GDP stories.)

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