U.S. economic growth cooled off somewhat in the fourth quarter of last year, as GDP expanded 2.5 percent compared to the expected 3 percent for 2014. However, thanks to strong 5 percent growth in the third quarter, the U.S. GDP grew at a 2.6 percent annual rate for 2014, the best year since 2010. Another positive sign: consumer spending grew in the fourth quarter at the fastest pace since 2006.
