NEW YORK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday revised down the country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 0.7 percent in its second estimate.

The number was half the first estimate of 1.4 percent, and sharply down from 4.4 percent in the third quarter and 3.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025. Economists had expected the revision to show stronger growth.

Compared with the third quarter last year, the fourth-quarter GDP deceleration reflected declines in government spending and exports, as well as a slowdown in consumer spending, the department said.

The federal government spending and investment plunged 16.7 percent, taking 1.16 percentage points off the fourth quarter GDP growth, as a result of the government shutdown.

The second estimate report for the fourth quarter of 2025 was originally scheduled for release at the end of February, but was rescheduled due to the shutdown. ■