The economy grew at a 1.4 percent rate in the final
quarter of last year -- twice as fast as the government first estimated. The revised reading on gross domestic product, reported by the Commerce Departmeny, marked a stronger showing than the 0.7 percent growth rate that was reported for the fourth
quarter of 2002 a month ago.
The major factors in the upward revision to fourth quarter GDP were stronger
investment by businesses in building up stockpiles of unsold goods and a slight boost to consumer spending.