The US economy is in a slow but steady jog, MarketWatch reports. The yin-and-yang performance of key segments of the economy means US growth will probably clock in at around 2% or a bit less in 2016, despite a pickup in the third quarter. “At this point, the slowdown in job creation earlier in the year appears to have been an aberration as payrolls have expanded at a solid clip since June,” noted Jim Baird, chief investment officer at Plante Moran Financial Advisors. When consumers believe their jobs are safe and their financial situation is secure, they are much more likely to spend.