Analysts say the latest U.S. government statistics indicate the country's year-old recession has run its course. 

A U.S. Commerce Department report released Friday, shows the country's economy grew at an annual rate of nearly six percent during the first quarter of 2002. The report measured gross domestic product (GDP) - the value of all goods and services produced in the from January to March this year. Commerce officials say an annualized 5.8 percent is the largest rise in the GDP since the last quarter of 1999. 

Government economists had forecast first quarter growth would be around five percent, following a 1.7 rise from October to December last year. The officials also say the annual rate of growth should drop to around 3.5 percent during the current quarter. 

The government report says major contributors to the better-than-expected results are increases in government and personal spending, as well as a slowdown in inventory reductions from American businesses. Analysts say the report indicates that the recession which began in March 2001 will turn out to be the mildest in U.S. history. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP. 

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