US real GDP rose in the third quarter at an annual rate of 2.1%, according to second estimate issued by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. The new estimate revises an earlier, advance estimate of 1.5%.

GDP increased 3.9% in the second quarter.

“This is a sturdy second GDP print for the third quarter when looking past the inventory swings,” Robert Kavcic, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, told Reuters. “Importantly, domestic demand in the US economy remains very solid, something that will surely give comfort to the Fed as it ponders its next move.”

Bloomberg reports today’s estimate matched the median forecast in its survey of economists. Russell Price, senior economist at Ameriprise Financial Inc. in Detroit, correctly forecast the GDP revision.

“Inventory levels still have to come down, and that’s going to put pressure on the fourth quarter,” Price told Bloomberg. “Consumers are still doing very well.”

Growth in the staffing industry is strongly correlated with GDP growth, according to research from Staffing Industry Analysts.