GROWING THE PIE HIGHER:

Q3's GDP revised a tick higher to 4.0% growth (Gregory Robb, Dec. 22, 2004, CBS Marketwatch.com)

Third quarter U.S. economic growth was revised slightly higher to a 4.0 percent annual rate from the 3.9 percent previously reported, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

This is a rebound from the slower 3.3 percent growth rate seen in gross domestic product during the second quarter. The nation's economy grew at a 4.5 percent rate in the first quarter. Read full report.

Growth has averaged a strong 4 percent rate over the past year.