Dan Schwartzman

According to the government's initial estimate out Friday, inflation-adjusted gross domestic product increased and annualized 1.4 percent in the fourth quarter after rising 4.4 percent in the prior period.

Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the economy expanded 2.2 percent last year.

The BEA said the reduction in federal services during the shutdown subtracted about one percentage point from GDP, which contradicted President Trump, who posted on social media that the shutdown would cost the U.S., quote, at least two points in GDP.

U.S.

consumer sentiment rose less than expected in February.

as optimism among wealthier Americans was offset by declining confidence among those who haven't benefited from stock market gains.

People's perception of their current financial situation did improve in February, but 46% of consumers mentioned that high prices were eroding their personal finances.

Jeffrey Epstein's estate and its two co-executors have agreed to pay as much as $35 million to resolve outstanding legal claims of his victims who have not already reached settlements.

The proposed settlement plan is intended to resolve all remaining claims with a class of women who say they were abused sexually or trafficked by Epstein between 1995 and 2019.

Norway continues to dominate the medal count at the Milan Cortina Olympics with 36 total, with the U.S.

now second with 27.

Norway has also won 17 gold medals, breaking their own record for most golds won at a Winter Olympics.

The U.S.

has won nine gold medals.

That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Dan Schwartzman and this is Bloomberg.

News when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Dan Schwartzman.

The U.S.

continues to build a massive force in the Middle East to put pressure on Iran with two aircraft carriers, including the world's largest, the Gerald R. Ford, hundreds of fighter jets and refueling tankers, along with thousands of troops, giving President Trump the option for a major attack against the Islamic Republic.