Bloomberg reported, according to economists at Goldman Sachs and Barclays, that gross domestic product probably increased at about a 2.9% annual rate in July-September. Bloomberg said that would be the fastest quarterly growth this year, beating the Commerce Department’s initial estimate of 2%.

Help is coming from a housing recovery, strengthening job market and healthier household finances that are driving gains in consumer confidence and spending, Bloomberg noted. While the damage from Sandy and an anticipated tightening of fiscal policy mean growth will decelerate this quarter and next, the U.S. may emerge on stronger footing in the second half of 2013, Bloomberg said.

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