July 30 Bloomberg -- The U.S. economy slowed in the second quarter as a scarcity of jobs eroded consumer spending, leaving the rebound dependent on a surge in business investment.

Gross domestic product grew at a 2.4 percent annual pace, less than forecast, after a 3.7 percent first-quarter gain that was larger than previously estimated, according to Commerce Department data issued today in Washington. Other reports showed business activity unexpectedly accelerated in July and consumer sentiment fell less than projected.

â??The economy is muddling through,â?? Ethan Harris, head of North America economics at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Global Research in New York, said in an interview. â??Weâ??re probably not going to see a really strong number for a while. We need to see some pickup in job growth.â??