A series of U.S. government releases this week signalled a sharper-than-anticipated slowdown in the economy. Newly published figures showed both overall economic output and consumer spending losing momentum after months of mixed readings that had left the outlook uncertain. The picture darkened further when the latest labor data revealed a markedly weaker pace of hiring, capping what analysts described as the most discouraging run of indicators so far this year. Economists said the combination of softer growth, restrained household demand and faltering job creation raises the risk that the expansion could stall unless conditions improve in the autumn.