Recovery likely strengthening after weaker 3Q By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer Jeannine Aversa, Ap Economics Writer Tue Dec 22, 4:35 pm ET

By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer
Tue Dec 22, 4:35 pm ET

WASHINGTON – All signs suggest the economic recovery will end the year on firmer footing despite a report Tuesday that the economy grew at a 2.2 percent pace in the third quarter, less than previously thought.

The Commerce Department's new reading on gross domestic product for the July-to-September quarter was weaker than the 2.8 percent growth rate estimated a month ago. Economists had predicted this figure would remain the same in the final estimate of the quarter's GDP — the value of all goods and services produced in the United States.