A Slowing U.S. Economic Recovery Faces Strong Headwinds in 2011

The U.S. economic recovery has been heading upward, but high unemployment and rising energy prices will weigh heavily on consumers and slow U.S. growth. Many economists don't think the U.S. economy will maintain the 3.1% growth rate it established in 2010's fourth quarter. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that while global growth this year will continue at a rate of 4.8%, advanced regions like the United States will grow at a slower rate than emerging economies. The IMF lowered its 2011 U.S. outlook to 2.8% from 3%, citing a weak real estate market and a high jobless rate as the biggest factors.