The US economy grew at a faster pace than initially thought in the second quarter, according to revised figures.
The Commerce Department’s second estimate for the April-June period put growth at an annualised 4.2%, slightly up from the previous figure of 4.1%.
It was the best quarterly figure for nearly four years and put the economy on track to hit the Trump government’s goal of 3% annual growth.
The news helped send Wall Street share markets higher.
Many economists had forecast a downward revision of growth to about 4%.
On a non-annualised basis, the economy grew 1% during the quarter. During the same period, the UK economy grew 0.4%.
The upward revision reflected more business spending on software than previously estimated and less imports of oil. Growth was driven by one-off factors such as a $1.5 trillion tax cut package, which helped boost consumer spending.
The new estimate was based on a more complete set of data than previously available and will be revised again next month.
US defence spending rose 6% in the quarter, the biggest increase in nine years. But there was also downward revisions to consumer spending and construction.
