America's GDP increased at an 1.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter, the Commerce Department reported Friday, down from 4.4% in the July-September quarter.

U.S. GDP grew 1.4% in Q4, down from 4.4% in Q3, as consumer and government spending slowed; hiring remained weak despite solid annual growth.

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The 43-day government shutdown in the fall stymied U.S. gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Friday.

U.S. economic growth slowed in the final three months of last year, dragged down by the six-week shutdown of the federal government and a pullback in consumer spending. The nation's gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services — increased at a 1.4% annual rate in the…

The report underscores an odd aspect of the U.S. economy: It is growing steadily, but without creating many jobs.