The nation's gross domestic product "increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the third quarter of 2009," the Bureau of Economic Analysis just reported.

That's a downward revision from the previous estimate of 3.5% growth, but still marks a rebound for that broad measure of economic activity after four straight quarterly declines in GDP and could be another indicator that — at least statistically — the recession that began in December 2007 has ended or soon may.

According to the Associated Press:

The main factors behind the downgrade: consumers didn't spend as much, commercial construction was weaker and the nation's trade deficit was more of a drag on growth. Businesses also trimmed more of their stockpiles, another restraining factor.

Update at 8:45 a.m. ET. Here are the latest GDP estimates for each quarter since the recession began (in December 2007). All are expressed as annual rates:

Fourth quarter 2007: + 2.1%

First-quarter 2008: - 0.7%

Second-quarter 2008: + 1.5%

Third-quarter 2008: - 2.7%

Fourth-quarter 2008: - 5.4%

First-quarter 2009: - 6.4%

Second-quarter 2009: - 0.7%

Third-quarter 2009: + 2.8%

Planet Money follows the economy's fortunes here.