The economy grew an annualized real 2.5 percent in the July-September period, revised up from preliminary data and marking seven straight quarters of growth — the longest stretch on record — the government said Friday.
The expansion in real gross domestic product, the total value of goods and services produced in the country adjusted for inflation, beat the average market forecast for 1.5 percent growth. It was revised up from a preliminary reading of 1.4 percent growth, adding to evidence that the world's third largest economy remains on a steady growth track.
Still, it is unclear how long the country will be able to stay on a growth path, with consumer spending — the biggest driver of the economy — remaining weak.