US real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the “initial” estimate of GDP growth released today by the US Commerce Department. 

Real GDP for the US increased 3.4% in the third quarter.

For the full year, real GDP increased 2.9% in 2018 from the 2017 annual level, up from an increase of 2.2% in 2017.

Due to the recent partial government shutdown, this initial report for the fourth quarter and annual GDP for 2018 replaces the release of the “advance” estimate originally scheduled for Jan. 30 and the second estimate originally scheduled for today. The fourth-quarter initial estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency. Updated estimates for the fourth quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on March 28.

A slumping housing market and bigger trade deficit softened up the economy in the final three months of 2018 after a torrid spell of growth in the middle of last year, but consumers and businesses still showed plenty of resilience despite rising headwinds, MarketWatch reported.