US GROWTH AT LOWEST IN FOUR YEARS AFTER SHARP SLOWDOWN

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The US economy slowed last quarter to its most sluggish pace in four years, figures published yesterday showed.

Growth fell to 0.6 per cent from 2.5 per cent the previous quarter, said the Commerce Department, which slashed its initial growth estimate by more than half.

The slowdown was worse than economists expected but is likely to be viewed by the Federal Reserve as a prelude to a gradual recovery. The Fed said in minutes published this week that it expected a moderate pick-up in growth in coming quarters.
However, the central bank warned the 18-month housing slump could drag out.





昨日公布的数据显示，上季度美国经济发展速度有所放缓，降至4年中最低水平。

美国商务部表示，经济增幅从前一季度的2.5%下降到了0.6%。该部门将它对美国经济增长的初始预测调低了一半以上。

这种经济放缓程度要低于经济学家的预期，但美联储(Federal Reserve)可能将其视为经济逐渐复苏的前奏。美联储在本周公布的备忘录中表示，预计在未来几个季度中，美国经济将出现温和增长。

然而，美联储警告称，为期18个月的住宅市场低迷状况可能会持续下去。