WASHINGTON — The US economy expanded at a 1.9 percent annual rate in the first quarter, slower than the 2.2 percent gain estimated a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

The revisions to real GDP largely were due to lower inventory building and trade.

Economists had predicted a revision to about a 1.8 percent rate.

The economy expanded at a three percent rate in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Consumer spending rose 2.7 percent in the first quarter, down from the prior estimate of a 2.9 percent gain, the report added.

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