Economy Nearly Stalled in 4th Quarter

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product increased at a feeble 0.6 percent annual rate in the October-to-December quarter. The reading unchanged from a previous estimate a month ago provided stark evidence of just how much the economy has weakened. In the prior quarter, the economy clocked in at a sizzling 4.9 percent growth rate.

The gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of all goods and services produced in the United States and is the best barometer of the country's economic health.

Many economists say they believe growth in the current January-to-March quarter will be even weaker than the 0.6 percent figure of the previous quarter. A growing number also say the economy may actually be shrinking now. Under one rough rule, the economy needs to contract for six straight months to be considered in a recession. The government will release its estimate for first-quarter GDP in late April.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _The economy nearly sputtered out in the final quarter of last year. It is probably faring even worse now as the housing, credit and financial crises take their toll on people and businesses alike.

The Commerce Department, in a new report Thursday, says the economy grew at a feeble 0.6 percent annual rate in the October-to-December quarter. The reading unchanged from a previous estimate a month ago provided stark evidence of just how much the economy has weakened. In the prior quarter, the economy clocked in at a sizzling 4.9 percent growth rate.