Washington ? The worst U.S. recession in 70 years should end over the next three to six months, judging by data released Friday that showed that the economy’s contraction eased considerably from April through June.

The Commerce Department reported that the economy shrank at an annualized rate of 1 percent in the year’s second quarter, less than most analysts had expected, and far less than the dramatic 6.4 percent shrinkage in the first quarter, a figure revised downward Friday from the initial estimate of 5.5 percent.

Independent economists think the economy now is poised to grow, albeit slowly.

“The key point is that this is the last negative (growth) report in the Great Recession, signaling the end of the downturn. The economy won’t come roaring back, but at least it’s back,” said Mark Zandi, the chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com, a forecaster in West Chester, Pa.

Recent reports on improving home and auto sales also augur well for the near future.

“Leading indicators of activity are pointing up, and the housing sector appears to be stabilizing. As more stimulus dollars hit the street, we should make headway in improving the difficult employment and financial conditions in many hard-hit regions of the country,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a statement.