Dueling Forces: 2 Most Positive, 2 Most Negative Influences on Economy Read more: US Economy Likely Crawled Last Quarter But Outlook Brightens Important: Can you afford to Retire?

The U.S. economy has resembled an especially dizzying roller-coaster ride this year, with a hurtling dive followed by a steep climb leading to yet another slide.

On Thursday, when the government issues its first of three estimates of growth in the July-September quarter, it's expected to show an economy slumping from global weakness and reduced corporate stockpiling — but poised to rise again.

Economists' consensus forecast, according to FactSet, is that the economy eked out just a 1.7 percent annual growth rate last quarter, a subpar pace by any standard.

"We got a lot of weakness during the summer from a widening of the trade deficit and a drawdown of inventories," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "But I think the consumer will lead the way to stronger growth in the fourth quarter."  Read more