New York, NY, December 4, 2019 – Today, SIFMA unveiled the results of its biannual survey of the chief U.S. economists of many of SIFMA’s global and regional firms. Compared with the June survey, the economists surveyed increased their GDP growth estimates by 0.05% for 2019 to a median forecast of 2.2%, on a fourth quarter over fourth quarter basis. For 2020, however, the median forecast was lowered by 0.1 percentage points to 1.8%, on a fourth quarter over fourth quarter basis.

“Despite the markdown in 2020 GDP growth, the economy is still expected to expand at a moderate pace,” said Ellen Zentner, a Managing Director and Chief U.S. Economist for Morgan Stanley, and Chair of SIFMA’s Economic Advisory Roundtable. “U.S. trade policy, business confidence in the U.S., and private credit market conditions were among the most important considerations in the forecast change. When gauging risks to the outlook, it is of no surprise that trade, global growth and U.S. political uncertainty appeared among the top risks – both to the up and downside.” The 12-month probability of recession remained the same at 25% but decreased slightly to 40.0% over the next 24 months. 

Consumer Outlook:

Economists expect real personal consumption growth to come in at 2.6% at the end of 2019, then slow to its longer-run trend around 2.1% in 2020. This is despite an expected increase in average hourly earnings to 3.1% in 2019 and 3.2% in 2020, which implies a rising rate of saving.

On the labor side, economists expect the unemployment rate to tick up slightly to 3.7% in 2020, after an expected 0.2% decline in 2019 to 3.6%. Employment growth is expected to slow further in 2020 to 139,000, after an expected decline to 163,000 in 2019 from 223,000 in 2018. In terms of inflation, as measured by the PCE deflator, analysts expect it to increase to 2.1% in 2020 from an expected 1.5% to end 2019.

Monetary Policy:

50% of respondents believe the Fed’s next rates move will be up, while 44% believe it will be down and 6% see the Fed on hold for the foreseeable future. This stands in contrast to the 65% down and 35% up in our mid-year survey, reflecting increased optimism among economists.

If the next move is up, 88% of respondents expect the Fed will move after 2020. If the next move is down, 43% of respondents expect the Fed will move in 2Q20, followed by 29% for both 1Q20 and 4Q19. Respondents believe the Fed’s terminal rate in this cycle will be 2.1%, which is down from 2.4% for our mid-year survey and likely reflects some marking-to-market for cuts delivered thus far.

Similar to our mid-year survey, inflation considerations ranked highest among factors in the Fed’s decision to raise rates, followed by labor market conditions. Labor market conditions were also at the top of the list of the most important decisions for the Fed to cut rates, followed by global economic developments and inflation considerations.

Interest Rates and Credit Markets:

Respondents expect little movement in key rates, with Fed Funds falling to 1.625% through 1Q20 and further to 1.620% by 4Q20. 2-Year UST is forecasted to fluctuate in 2019 and 2020 between 1.563% and 1.600%, while 10-Year UST is expected to climb from 1.715% in 2Q20 to 1.850% in 4Q20. Finally, respondents expect the 30-Year Mortgage to climb from 3.655% in 1Q20 to 3.775% in 4Q20.

Respondents also gave expectations for various yield spreads, including 70% expecting the yield curve to steepen; 60% expecting the TED spread to remain about the same; 50% expecting the spread of IG corporates bonds to U.S. Treasury to widen; and 69% expecting the spread of HY corporates bonds to U.S. Treasury to widen.

Trade Policy:

All respondents expect the USMCA to be passed, with 43% expecting the timing to be 1H20, followed by 29% expecting passage in 4Q19. If/when passed, 64% of respondents expect the USMCA to have no impact to GDP growth, versus 54% in the mid-year survey.

50% of respondents believe tariffs on products from China (and elsewhere) have impacted 2019 GDP growth by 0-20 bps, versus 80% in the mid-year survey, followed by 43% building in lower GDP growth by greater than 20 bps. As to the impact on prices, 71% of respondents believe tariffs will have raised prices by 0-20 bps, versus 69% in the mid-year survey, followed by 21% responding no impact.

With the US and China agreeing in principle on Phase 1 of a full trade agreement, 57% of respondents noted the Phase 1 deal will prevent future tariffs, while 36% responded there is not enough information to forecast. 80% of respondents expect the U.S. and China will eventually agree formerly on Phase 1.

Regardless of type, 43% expect the deal to be finalized in 1Q20. If/when passed, 64% of respondents expect a U.S./China trade deal to impact GDP growth by raising the forecast from 0-20 bps, followed by 21% expecting no impact on GDP growth.

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The SIFMA Economic Advisory Roundtable brings together Chief U.S. Economists of over 20 global and regional financial institutions. This twice annual survey compiles economic forecasts from roundtable members, published prior to the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. This report analyzes economists’ expectations for: GDP growth, unemployment rate, inflation rate, interest rates, etc. It also reviews expectations for policy moves at the upcoming FOMC meeting, as well as discussing key macroeconomic topics and how these factors could impact monetary policy.

SIFMA is the leading trade association for broker-dealers, investment banks and asset managers operating in the U.S. and global capital markets. On behalf of our industry’s nearly 1 million employees, we advocate for legislation, regulation and business policy, affecting retail and institutional investors, equity and fixed income markets and related products and services. We serve as an industry coordinating body to promote fair and orderly markets, informed regulatory compliance, and efficient market operations and resiliency. We also provide a forum for industry policy and professional development. SIFMA, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is the U.S. regional member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA). For more information, visit http://www.sifma.org