Housing Slump Dampens '08 Prospects

Economists cut growth forecast; still predict better rate than '07
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 10, 2007 12:38 PM CDT
Housing Slump Dampens '08 Prospects
The Dow Jones Industrial average is seen on a ticker above the exchange floor after the closing bell, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007 in New York. Wall Street began the fourth quarter with a huge rally Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average above 14,000 and well into record territory for the first time...   (Associated Press)

Economists cut projections for 2008 growth for a third consecutive month, Reuters reports, signaling the fallout from mortgage woes will be widespread and prolonged. A survey of 52 experts estimated the economy would expand 2.4% next year; they’d predicted 2.6% growth last month and 2.8% the month before. The number is still higher than the 2% gain forecast for 2007.

The economists expect consumer spending to have its smallest gain since 1991, as households faced with job and home uncertainty will grow more cautious about savings. The survey also predicted that home prices would post their first year-over-year decline since the 1930s; Reuters notes the numbers came in before a report showing employment beat expectations in August and September. (More subprime mortgages stories.)

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