The U.S. economy keeps defying the pessimists. Gross domestic product expanded at a 4.3% annualized rate during the July-to-September period, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Tuesday in its initial estimate.

That's a full percentage point above the 3.3% economists were expecting, and represents an acceleration from the second quarter's already-solid 3.8% growth rate. The consistent momentum suggests the economy's resilience is more than just a temporary phenomenon.

This is a developing story...