Fed's Kohn sees gradual U.S. economic recovery

DAVIDSON, N.C., March 24 (Reuters) - Donald Kohn, vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, said on Wednesday the country United States is experiencing only a modest economic rebound despite an apparent surge in fourth-quarter growth figures.

U.S. gross domestic product grew 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter, but the spike was driven in large part by a rebuilding of inventories that economists do not believe will be sustained at the same clip.

"We're looking at a gradual recovery," Kohn said in response to questions at an academic conference. "The results of the fourth quarter were kind of distorted."