US economy grows at 2.8% annual rate ahead of presidential election

The US economy grew solidly in the three months to September, expanding at an annual rate of 2.8%.

Despite there being a slight slowdown from the prior quarter's 3% rate, the figures released by the Commerce Department showed the US is on track for one of the strongest economic performances of any major economy this year.

Consumer spending was the biggest driver, picking up from earlier in the year.

The report arrives days before polls close in America's hotly contested presidential election, in which surveys have consistently indicated the economy is Americans' top concern.