Consumer sentiment surged in January, unemployment claims dropped sharply and retail sales for December came in stronger than expected. Now, as a new week unfolds, the debate is shifting to how strong the economy performed at year-end and whether 2024 will also bring good tidings.

The answer to the first question will come on Thursday, when the government provides its first estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic product. Expectations are for the rate of growth to come in around 2%, though a higher number would not surprise some economists after a blistering 4.9% pace in the third quarter of 2023.

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