Growth in U.S. Off to Slow Start in Fourth Quarter: Economy

Growth in the world’s largest economy got off to a slower start in the fourth quarter as U.S. consumer spending, equipment orders and new-home sales were weaker than forecast in October.

Household purchases rose 0.2 percent, less than the projected 0.3 percent gain in a Bloomberg survey, while bookings for non-military capital goods excluding aircraft unexpectedly fell 1.3 percent for a second straight month, Commerce Department data showed today in Washington.