The U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter this year, according to the advance estimate released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday.
Personal consumption, which accounts for about 70 percent of the U.S. economy, grew 1.8 percent, compared with an increase of 2.5 percent in the second quarter.
Exports increased 7.8 percent, slower than an increase of 11.1 percent in the previous quarter.
Nonresidential fixed investment increased 5.5 percent, down from 9.7 percent in the second quarter.
The U.S. GDP grew at an annual pace of 4.6 percent in the second quarter.