US posts better-than-expected GDP gain

(ANSA) - Rome, October 30 - The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5% in the July-September quarter, the Commerce Department has said.
    That was better than the 3% pace that economists had been expecting and follows the 4.6% growth rate recorded in the April-June quarter.
    Strong export growth and higher government spending helped to boost growth in the third quarter.
    In a sign of confidence in the US recovery, on Wednesday the Federal Reserve ended its stimulus scheme.
    The fall in the unemployment rate to a six-year low has helped to boost that confidence.