WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. economic growth is likely being held back in the second half of 2013 by federal policies and a slowdown in hiring that has kept consumers from stepping up spending.

Analysts surveyed by Factset predict that the economy grew at a 2 percent annual rate in the July-September quarter, which would be down from an annual rate of 2.5 percent the previous quarter.

The Commerce Department releases its figures this morning.

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