The U.S. economy—as indicated by GDP—grew at an annual rate of 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017, which is slower than the 3.2% rate reported for the third quarter of 2017, according to BVR's latest quarterly Economic Outlook Update (fourth quarter 2017). But the fourth-quarter figure still ended the year on solid footing as the GDP rose 2.3% for 2017 compared with 1.5% growth in 2016. “The momentum gained over the later quarters suggests even more economic growth to come in 2018,” says the report.