US Economy Picks up in Third-Quarter; Data Surprise on the Upside

U.S. economic growth picked up slightly in the third quarter, rather than slowing as initially reported.
US Economy Picks up in Third-Quarter; Data Surprise on the Upside
Shipping containers are seen on a Cosco Shipping vessel at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., on Aug. 23, 2019. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
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WASHINGTON—U.S. economic growth picked up slightly in the third quarter, rather than slowing as initially reported, and there are signs the downturn in business investment may be drawing to a close.

The modest firming in growth reported on Wednesday by the government came alongside data showing the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week after standing at a five-month high for two straight weeks.