GDP remains unchanged at 1.9 percent

The economy's rate of expansion was unchanged from the previous estimate, according to updated government data released Thursday. 

The Commerce Department said the economy expanded at an annual rate of 1.9 percent from January to March, the same as the last estimate but slower than the 2.2 percent initially predicted as a slowdown in federal, state and local government spending, as well as an increase in imports, weighed on the figure. 

Consumer spending was slightly weaker than the estimate a month ago, but business investment picked up pace. 

In the fourth quarter, the economy grew at a 3 percent clip. 

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