A Decent, but Not Great, Second Half of the Year Expected for U.S. Economy

News provided by

Oct 18, 2016, 09:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic growth is expected to average 2.4 percent in the second half of the year, up from 1.1 percent in the first half but at a slightly slower pace than predicted in the prior forecast, according to Fannie Mae's (OTC Bulletin Board: FNMA) Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group's October 2016 Economic and Housing Outlook. Although data point to stronger growth in the third quarter, due in large part to improvements in inventory investment and trade, domestic demand appears to have weakened. Consumer spending retreated in August for the first time since January and the personal saving rate ticked up, suggesting consumers are feeling increasingly cautious. Consumer spending growth is expected to continue to soften in the fourth quarter, contributing to moderating economic growth from the third quarter. On balance, the ESR Group's full-year 2016 forecast remains at 1.8 percent.

"Recent economic data have been a mixed bag – the good, the bad, and the steady," said Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. "On the upside, the third print of second quarter GDP showed that the economy grew three-tenths higher than in the second estimate, with an encouraging upward revision in nonresidential fixed investment. The steady news comes from the labor market, with relatively decent conditions overall. The biggest doses of bad news come from consumer spending, the linchpin of economic growth, and residential investment, which appears to have posted a second consecutive sizable drop in the third quarter."

"Emerging signs of improving homeownership demand among young adults have been encouraging. However, housing activity has lost momentum in recent months," said Duncan. "Existing home sales, new home sales, single-family housing starts, and single-family construction spending declined in August. In addition, pending home sales and purchase mortgage applications weakened during the month, suggesting continued weakness in existing home sales in the near term amid very lean supply."

Visit the Economic & Strategic Research site at www.fanniemae.com to read the full October 2016 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.

Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of Americans. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for families across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit fanniemae.com and follow us on twitter.com/fanniemae.

SOURCE Fannie Mae