Economy grew at small rate in fourth quarter

WASHINGTON -- The economy grew at a mediocre 1.4 percent annual rate in the final quarter of 2002, and many economists think it won't do much better -- and perhaps worse -- in the current quarter as the stagnant job market and war uncertainties make American consumers and businesses more cautious.

The government's final estimate of the gross domestic product in the final three months of last year was unchanged from its previous estimate a month ago, the Commerce Department reported last week. That matched analysts' expectations.

GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within the United States and is considered the best barometer of the economy's health.