Keeping track: The boom continues

The US economy continues to soar like a fireworks display.

Last year, the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) - its total output of goods and services - increased by 4 percent, the third year in a row the economy has grown by 4 percent or more.

1999 finished especially strong, with GDP nearing 6 percent in the fourth quarter.

Though the new numbers from the Commerce Department exceeded expectations, some analysts are concerned that the sizzle may turn into a fizzle. They expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates several times in the coming months, attempting to tame the threat of inflation.

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