Economist Predicts 3.5% Growth Next Year

New York, NY, Dec. 28, 2009--A prominent economist believes the U.S. economy will expand 3.5% in 2010.

Dean Maki of Barclays Capital Inc. told Bloomberg News that rising stocks and rising incomes will spur consumers to spend more money and lift the economy.

If his prediction comes true, it would be the best economic performance since 2004. He said the recovery would be similar to past recoveries.

Bloomberg noted that Maki had the most accurate predictions for GDP for the first three quarters in its survey. It also said that Maki's projection was one of the highest in its survey.