WORLD> America
US economy logs better growth, but still subpar
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-26 22:05

WASHINGTON -- The economy turned in a better -- but still subpar -- performance in the first three months of this year, mostly spurred by stronger sales of US products overseas.


A new home being built in San Jose, Calif. is seen Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  Sales of new homes tumbled for the sixth time in seven months in May while median prices kept plunging, underscoring the depth of the nation's housing woes. [Agencies]

The 1 percent annualized increase in gross domestic product, announced by the Commerce Department on Thursday, marked a slight improvement from the government's previous estimate of 0.9 percent growth for the January-to-March quarter. And, it showed the economy logging stronger growth than the feeble 0.6 percent pace registered in the final three months of last year.

Still, the first quarter's performance pointed to a fragile economy, shaken by housing, credit and financial debacles. That has made people and businesses more cautious in their spending and investment, restraining overall economic activity. More normal growth would be along the lines of a 2.5 percent to 3 percent pace, analysts said.

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