Washington - The recovery is losing steam.

The economy is now likely expanding at just half the brisk 5.9 percent pace at which the government on Friday estimated it grew last quarter. Business spending will make up for some of a slowdown in consumer spending - but not likely enough to reduce the jobless rate much.All that adds up to a long slog ahead for an economy trying to get back on firm footing after the worst recession since the 1930s. The economy continues to grow. But it won't feel like much of a recovery this year amid high unemployment, record-high home foreclosures and tight credit.

All that adds up to a long slog ahead for an economy trying to get back on firm footing after the worst recession since the 1930s. The economy continues to grow. But it won't feel like much of a recovery this year amid high unemployment, record-high home foreclosures and tight credit.Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group, called the year-end growth spurt "a one-hit wonder."

Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group, called the year-end growth spurt "a one-hit wonder."In a fresh reading on the nation's economic standing, the Commerce Department bumped up its growth estimate for the final quarter of 2009, from a 5.7 percent growth rate estimated a month ago. It was the strongest showing in six years.

In a fresh reading on the nation's economic standing, the Commerce Department bumped up its growth estimate for the final quarter of 2009, from a 5.7 percent growth rate estimated a month ago. It was the strongest showing in six years.Roughly two-thirds of the growth came from a burst of manufacturing - but not because consumer demand was especially strong. In fact, consumer spending weakened at the end of the year, even more than the government first thought.

Roughly two-thirds of the growth came from a burst of manufacturing - but not because consumer demand was especially strong. In fact, consumer spending weakened at the end of the year, even more than the government first thought.Instead, factories were churning out goods for businesses that had let their stockpiles dwindle to save cash. If consumer spending remains lackluster as expected, that burst of manufacturing will fade.

Instead, factories were churning out goods for businesses that had let their stockpiles dwindle to save cash. If consumer spending remains lackluster as expected, that burst of manufacturing will fade.The signs aren't hopeful. Consumer confidence took an unexpected dive in February, and unemployment stands at 9.7 percent.

The signs aren't hopeful. Consumer confidence took an unexpected dive in February, and unemployment stands at 9.7 percent.Not only is the late 2009 growth spurt fading, but the wobbly housing market is showing fresh signs of weakness.

Not only is the late 2009 growth spurt fading, but the wobbly housing market is showing fresh signs of weakness.Sales of previously occupied homes fell sharply in January for the second straight month, to their lowest point since summer. The results were far worse than forecast.

Sales of previously occupied homes fell sharply in January for the second straight month, to their lowest point since summer. The results were far worse than forecast.The National Association for Business Economics predicts the economy will expand at only a 3 percent pace in the first quarter of this year. The next two quarters should log similar growth, the association's forecasters say.

The National Association for Business Economics predicts the economy will expand at only a 3 percent pace in the first quarter of this year. The next two quarters should log similar growth, the association's forecasters say.Unlike past rebounds driven by the spending of shoppers, this one is hinging more on spending by businesses and foreigners. Businesses boosted spending on equipment and software at a sizzling 18.2 percent pace, the fastest in nine years.

Unlike past rebounds driven by the spending of shoppers, this one is hinging more on spending by businesses and foreigners. Businesses boosted spending on equipment and software at a sizzling 18.2 percent pace, the fastest in nine years.And foreigners snapped up U.S.-made goods and services, which propelled exports to grow at 22.4 pace, the most in 13 years.

And foreigners snapped up U.S.-made goods and services, which propelled exports to grow at 22.4 pace, the most in 13 years.Dan Meckstroth, economist at the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, says he thinks business spending on equipment and exports will continue to post double-digit gains - but less than in the fourth quarter. Demand for transportation equipment, especially pickup and freight trucks, could help drive business spending growth in the months ahead.

Dan Meckstroth, economist at the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, says he thinks business spending on equipment and exports will continue to post double-digit gains - but less than in the fourth quarter. Demand for transportation equipment, especially pickup and freight trucks, could help drive business spending growth in the months ahead.Economists don't think higher business spending can make up for the slowdown by consumers, whose spending powers about 70 percent of the economy. But some industries, including technology, are turning cautiously more optimistic.

Economists don't think higher business spending can make up for the slowdown by consumers, whose spending powers about 70 percent of the economy. But some industries, including technology, are turning cautiously more optimistic.Google is hoping to hire at least 2,000 people and plans to substantially increase its capital spending on computers and other equipment. Yahoo Inc. is expecting modest revenue growth during the first three months of this year, a rebound after five consecutive quarters of year-over-year declines. And Cisco Systems Inc., which sells computer networking gear to the largest corporations, reported a 9 percent jump in sales for its November-to-January quarter from the previous three months.

Google is hoping to hire at least 2,000 people and plans to substantially increase its capital spending on computers and other equipment. Yahoo Inc. is expecting modest revenue growth during the first three months of this year, a rebound after five consecutive quarters of year-over-year declines. And Cisco Systems Inc., which sells computer networking gear to the largest corporations, reported a 9 percent jump in sales for its November-to-January quarter from the previous three months.Major retailers, such as Saks Inc., Kohl's Corp. and Target Corp., have offered more cautious sales outlooks. "The consumer is continuing to be incredibly strained," said Kevin Mansell, CEO of Kohl's Corp.

Major retailers, such as Saks Inc., Kohl's Corp. and Target Corp., have offered more cautious sales outlooks. "The consumer is continuing to be incredibly strained," said Kevin Mansell, CEO of Kohl's Corp.A Gallup survey released Thursday found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they're spending less than they used to. And 38 percent say this curtailed spending will be their new, normal pattern. In a sharp change from earlier this decade, 62 percent of Americans now say they relish saving rather than spending.

A Gallup survey released Thursday found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they're spending less than they used to. And 38 percent say this curtailed spending will be their new, normal pattern. In a sharp change from earlier this decade, 62 percent of Americans now say they relish saving rather than spending.That's why discounting has become the key to business sales growth.

That's why discounting has become the key to business sales growth.At about half the hotel rooms at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the company is now offering seven nights' stay for the price of five. During the heart of the recession the price was even lower - seven nights for the price of four.

At about half the hotel rooms at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the company is now offering seven nights' stay for the price of five. During the heart of the recession the price was even lower - seven nights for the price of four.For all of this year, the economy is expected to grow 3.1 percent, according to the NABE forecasters. Though modest, that pace would mark a big improvement from 2009, when the economy contracted by 2.4 percent - the worst showing since 1946.

For all of this year, the economy is expected to grow 3.1 percent, according to the NABE forecasters. Though modest, that pace would mark a big improvement from 2009, when the economy contracted by 2.4 percent - the worst showing since 1946.As government stimulus wanes and Federal Reserve economic-support programs end, the economy - especially the fragile housing market - could suffer. Economists say the odds of the economy sliding back into a recession this year are low, but they won't rule it out.

As government stimulus wanes and Federal Reserve economic-support programs end, the economy - especially the fragile housing market - could suffer. Economists say the odds of the economy sliding back into a recession this year are low, but they won't rule it out.Economists worry about how housing will fare once a homebuyer tax credit ends in the spring and the Fed ends a mortgage-securities buying program that has helped lower mortgage rates and boosted sales.

Economists worry about how housing will fare once a homebuyer tax credit ends in the spring and the Fed ends a mortgage-securities buying program that has helped lower mortgage rates and boosted sales.

--AP Business Writers Christopher S. Rugaber in Washington, Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Liedtke in San Francisco and Ryan Nakashima in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

AP Business Writers Christopher S. Rugaber in Washington, Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Liedtke in San Francisco and Ryan Nakashima in Los Angeles contributed to this report.