US on rocky road to recovery - 23 Dec 09

The world's number one economy is swinging back from its worst recession in decades, but not at the rate many had hoped.

The US economy recorded 2.2 per cent growth from July to September - its first growth in more than a year largely driven by massive government spending.

But figures also show that businesses are still not investing, banks are not lending and, despite the holiday season, consumers are not spending leaving the prospects for a sustainable recovery uncertain.