US economy picks up amid heated presidential campaign

Getty ImagesEconomic growth picked up in the US this spring, raising hopes that the world's largest economy will be able to get inflation under control while avoiding a painful slowdown. The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.8% over the three months to June, lifted by brisk consumer spending, the Commerce Department said Thursday.The pace was faster than expected, but still marked a slowdown from 2023.The…