THE US economy grew by 2.9 per cent in the third quarter, the strongest pace in two years, following a rebound in the country's export sector.

The rate of growth was more than double the 1.4 per cent in the second quarter, and economists said that the better-than-expected GDP reading puts the Federal Reserve on track to boost interest rates next month. "This report points to an economy that may be gaining traction - at last," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.