The November 2017 Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Survey

The November 2017 Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Survey was published on November 9, 2017.  The headline is “Forecasters Predict Nafta Withdrawal Would Slow U.S. Growth.”

I found numerous items to be notable – although I don’t necessarily agree with them – both within the article and in the “Economist Q&A” section.

An excerpt:

Forecasters this month saw GDP growth of 2.5% this year and again in 2018. The pace of expansion was then seen easing to 2.1% in 2019 and 2% in 2020, closer to the average since the 2007-09 recession ended. Last month, economists said the proposed GOP tax plan would produce several years of stronger growth if enacted by Congress, though forecasters were divided over its likely long-term effects.

As seen in the “Recession Probability” section, the average response as to the odds of another recession starting within the next 12 months was 14.64%. The individual estimates, of those who responded, ranged from 0% to 35%.  For reference, the average response in October’s survey was 15.85%.

As stated in the article, the survey’s respondents were 59 academic, financial and business economists.  Not every economist answered every question.  The survey was conducted November 3-7.

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The current average forecasts among economists polled include the following:

GDP:

full-year 2017:  2.5%

full-year 2018:  2.5%

full-year 2019:  2.1%

full-year 2020:  2.0%

Unemployment Rate:

December 2017: 4.1%

December 2018: 3.9%

December 2019: 4.0%

December 2020: 4.3%

10-Year Treasury Yield:

December 2017: 2.47%

December 2018: 3.00%

December 2019: 3.31%

December 2020: 3.47%

CPI:

December 2017:  1.9%

December 2018:  2.2%

December 2019:  2.3%

December 2020:  2.3%

Crude Oil  ($ per bbl):

for 12/31/2017: $53.72

for 12/31/2018: $54.22

for 12/31/2019: $54.91

for 12/31/2020: $57.06

(note: I highlight this WSJ Economic Forecast survey each month; commentary on past surveys can be found under the “Economic Forecasts” label)

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I post various economic forecasts because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this site are aware, I do not necessarily agree with many of the consensus estimates and much of the commentary in these forecast surveys.

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The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 2571.07 as this post is written