So much for that streak of 13 straight quarters of economic growth -- the U.S.'s Gross Domestic Product shrank by 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012.

It was the first quarterly contraction since the second quarter of 2009. Economists say two factors are to blame -- a large cut in federal spending and lower retail inventories due to Hurricane Sandy.

But barring unforeseen circumstances, experts see reason for optimism. Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist for Capital Economics, says it's "the best-looking contraction in U.S. GDP you'll ever see."

Source: CNN