GDP's defiance may signal end of recession. (Industry Data).(economic data and...

Although far from robust, the preliminary government report on the nation's overall level of economic activity during the final quarter of last year did show growth, albeit scant.

In contrast to the 1.3 percent decline in the nation's gross domestic product recorded in the third quarter of 2001, GDP expanded at a marginal 0.2 percent annual rate during the final three months of the year. Thus, the recession that officially began in March 2001 may be nearing an end sooner than most had dared hope following the economic and political fallout from the terrorist attacks. <