Article: Economy finds its footing Consumer spending, stimulus fuel growth, but some wary of weak recovery

By DIANA MARRERO

Washington -- After more than a year of contraction, the U.S. economy grew in the third quarter, signaling a possible end to the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

The 3.5% growth in the Gross Domestic Product was largely fueled by an increase in consumer spending, much of which could be attributed to government programs designed to spur the sales of cars and homes. Billions of dollars in federal spending as part of the economic stimulus package also likely contributed to the growth, economists say.

The numbers reported by the Commerce Department on Thursday don't necessarily mean the economy is doing well. The nation's unemployment rate, which reached a ...

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