Most analysts anticipate the preliminary estimate to show that the economy expanded at a rate of 2 to 2.5 percent in the third quarter.

Some analysts say railroads are thriving, and their success stems from an economy that continued to expand in the second quarter.

Agricultural capability on Earth expanded in the last quarter of the 20th century.

It now appears, they say, that the economy is likely to expand slightly in the first quarter instead of contracting.

It was still expanding in the third quarter of 1990.

Stock prices initially rose on the news that the gross domestic product had managed to expand in the second quarter rather than contract.

Some key components of GDP continued to expand in the third quarter.

Output will expand in the current quarter for the first time since early 2008.

Singapore's economy expanded 1.7 percent in the third quarter in contrast to the period a year earlier, the government reported.

China reported earlier this week that its economy expanded at a fevered 9.5 percent in the fourth quarter, even as inflation seemed to be abating.