Strong Growth Outlook Persists Even As Risks Rise

Matthew Classick

202-752-3662

WASHINGTON, DC – Full-year 2018 economic growth is expected to come in at a still-strong 2.7 percent even as downside risks stemming from trade policy have risen, according to the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research Group’s April 2018 Economic and Housing Outlook. The ESR Group’s latest forecast is one-tenth lower than its previous forecast of 2.8 percent and comes on the heels of a greater-than-expected slowdown in first quarter growth. Lackluster consumer spending in January and February, following an unsustainable fourth quarter pace, drove the slight downgrade, though tax refunds and reduced withholdings are expected to boost consumer spending in March and the months ahead. Elsewhere, economic fundamentals remain strong, with healthy income growth, optimistic consumer and business sentiments, and fiscal stimulus stemming from tax reform and the federal spending bill likely to lift demand. Continued strength in business equipment investment growth is also critical to the ESR Group’s forecast, as it would likely support productivity growth and keep unit labor costs contained amid the ongoing fiscal stimulus. The ESR Group continues to project two more interest rate hikes in 2018, including one in June, with risks on both sides should inflation pick up or restrictive trade policy hamper growth.

“While first quarter consumer caution drew down our 2018 growth forecast a tick, we still forecast growth to come in at a solid pace. However, downside risks are emerging – the most notable being the increasingly heated rhetoric on trade,” said Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. “If rhetoric becomes reality, a trade war could reverse much of the upside from recently passed fiscal stimulus, or it could trigger an even worse outcome: recession. Threats and counter-threats aside, economic growth should pick up this quarter amid a rebound in consumer spending and business investment growth, in addition to a healthy labor market. Soft residential investment last quarter should prove temporary, as home sales resume their slow upward grind, with inventory shortages playing friend to prices but foe to affordability and sales.”

Visit the Economic & Strategic Research site at www.fanniemae.com to read the full April 2018 Economic Outlook, including the Economic Developments Commentary, Economic Forecast, Housing Forecast, and Multifamily Market Commentary. To receive e-mail updates with other housing market research from Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group, please click here.

Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, and other views of Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae's business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.

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