US economic growth hit 3.9% in second quarter

The US economy struck a peppy 3.9 percent annual growth rate in the second quarter, faster than originally thought and providing more fuel for a Fed rate hike, the Commerce Department said Friday. The new data confirmed the economy's rebound from a first-quarter stall, though since then it has settled to a more modest pace as global growth has slowed. It also suits the Federal Reserve's plans to begin increasing interest rates despite weakness and market turmoil elsewhere.