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Conditions Take a Turn for the Worse as Shocks to System Grow; Exports a Bright Spot
MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast sees significant risk for mild recession in first half of 2008 before outlook improves; Manufacturers Alliance presents annual five-year forecast
Arlington, VA — November 15, 2007 — A confluence of challenges including the recent housing collapse and credit crunch, rising oil prices, slowing employment growth and lack of consumer confidence have conspired to signal a significant near-term economic slowdown, according to a new report from the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI.
The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast predicts that inflation-adjusted GDP growth will slow to 2.1 percent in 2007 and to 1.3 percent in 2008. By supplying major assumptions for the economy and running simulations through its Global Insight Macroeconomic Model, the alliance generates macroeconomic and industry forecasts.
"The U.S. economy in the past has experienced a recession from fewer shocks than we are now experiencing," said Daniel J. Meckstroth, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI chief economist. "By itself the housing collapse would probably not cause a recession, but when combined with a credit crunch, falling housing prices, record oil prices, falling corporate profits, low consumer confidence, and decelerating employment growth, the risk of recession has climbed to at least 50 percent."
High-tech Growth
Manufacturing production growth will show a significant decline from 4.7 percent growth in 2006 to an estimated 1.9 percent in 2007, and is forecast to remain flat in 2008, according to the alliance's report. These figures are down from the previously expected 2 percent and 2.9 percent growth, respectively, in the alliance's August forecast. Production in non-high-tech industries is forecast to grow only 0.9 percent this year and to decline by 1.2 percent in 2008.
There is, however, some positive news, as inflation-adjusted spending for computers and electronic products is expected to rise 11.5 percent in 2007 and 10 percent in 2008.
Large percentage gains in spending will come in the high-tech sectors. Inflation-adjusted expenditures for information processing equipment are expected to rise 7.7 percent in 2007 and 5.3 percent in 2007, growing several times faster than the general economy. Real investment in equipment and software, though, should increase by only 1.4 percent in 2007 and 2.0 percent in 2008.
Exports a Bright Spot
Interestingly, spending on non-residential structures is forecast to rise a robust 12.1 percent in 2007 but by only 0.8 percent in 2008. The forecast calls for industrial equipment expenditures to increase 2.5 percent before declining by 3.4 percent, respectively, in the same years. The outlook for spending on transportation equipment calls for a 10.3 percent decline in 2007 followed by a further 2 percent decline in 2008. However, aerospace equipment should grow by 11.8 percent in 2007 and by 12.1 percent in 2008.
The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast predicts that inflation-adjusted GDP growth will slow to 2.1 percent in 2007 and to 1.3 percent in 2008. By supplying major assumptions for the economy and running simulations through its Global Insight Macroeconomic Model, the alliance generates macroeconomic and industry forecasts.
"The U.S. economy in the past has experienced a recession from fewer shocks than we are now experiencing," said Daniel J. Meckstroth, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI chief economist. "By itself the housing collapse would probably not cause a recession, but when combined with a credit crunch, falling housing prices, record oil prices, falling corporate profits, low consumer confidence, and decelerating employment growth, the risk of recession has climbed to at least 50 percent."
High-tech Growth
Manufacturing production growth will show a significant decline from 4.7 percent growth in 2006 to an estimated 1.9 percent in 2007, and is forecast to remain flat in 2008, according to the alliance's report. These figures are down from the previously expected 2 percent and 2.9 percent growth, respectively, in the alliance's August forecast. Production in non-high-tech industries is forecast to grow only 0.9 percent this year and to decline by 1.2 percent in 2008.
There is, however, some positive news, as inflation-adjusted spending for computers and electronic products is expected to rise 11.5 percent in 2007 and 10 percent in 2008.
Large percentage gains in spending will come in the high-tech sectors. Inflation-adjusted expenditures for information processing equipment are expected to rise 7.7 percent in 2007 and 5.3 percent in 2007, growing several times faster than the general economy. Real investment in equipment and software, though, should increase by only 1.4 percent in 2007 and 2.0 percent in 2008.
Exports a Bright Spot
Interestingly, spending on non-residential structures is forecast to rise a robust 12.1 percent in 2007 but by only 0.8 percent in 2008. The forecast calls for industrial equipment expenditures to increase 2.5 percent before declining by 3.4 percent, respectively, in the same years. The outlook for spending on transportation equipment calls for a 10.3 percent decline in 2007 followed by a further 2 percent decline in 2008. However, aerospace equipment should grow by 11.8 percent in 2007 and by 12.1 percent in 2008.
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