General Economic Forecasts Show Marked Improvement

Forecasts for the U.S. economy improved substantially in early January, according to the latest consensus forecasts from Blue Chip Economic Indicators. The forecast for growth of real gross domestic product in 2011 rose an unusual half point during the past month, jumping to 3.1% on an annualized basis. If it really happens, it will be the largest real GDP growth since ’05.

A number of factors heightened optimism among the more than 50 economic forecasting groups surveyed by Blue Chip. Consumer spending, driven by both holiday shopping and stronger sales of cars and trucks, improved throughout the last quarter of ’10. Both manufacturing and service sectors showed improvement. And the compromise federal tax deal signed in December included an unexpected cut in payroll taxes, generous capital spending write-offs, and other provisions likely to improve economic activity.

The recent strength of consumer spending has surprised many economists. The consensus now forecasts real personal consumption expenditures rose 3.8% in the fourth quarter. If true, it would be the strongest PCE growth since the first quarter ’06.

The cut in payroll taxes led economists to add 0.6 point to the ’11 forecast of disposable personal income, pushing it to 2.7%. The forecast for real PCE jumped half a point to 3.1%.  

RELATED CONTENT

Untitled design 2022 07 13T114823.757

Patience Pays Off for a Reach-In Repair

RSI’s Mark Montgomery's persistence and patience is key in repairing an operator's failing reach-in cooler.

Henny Penny

Oil’s Sweet Spot: How to Get There and Maintain It

Like many in the world of foodservice, you may assume that cooking oil performance is at its peak when you first start using it — but did you know there...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

TRENDING NOW

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -