Fourth Quarter 2008 U.S. Gross Domestic Product report

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years. But growth in the October-December quarter -- and all of last year -- was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.

Investors may want to view the fourth quarter 2008 gross domestic product report this way: The worst is over. Or, at least it better be, for the good of all involved. The nation's economy contracted 6.3 percent in Q4 2008 -- its biggest decline in a generation, the U.S. Commerce Department...