Norway’s Economic Growth Surprise Fans Rate-Hike Bets

Norway’s economy grew much faster than expected at the end of last year, underpinning bets that its central bank will be the first in the rich world to raise interest rates this year.

Mainland gross domestic product, which adjusts for Norway’s offshore industry, expanded 1.9% in the fourth quarter, the statistics office said on Friday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected a 1.3% growth rate.