The National Association for Business Economists’ quarterly survey showed little change in the forecasts compared with June in key areas such as economic growth, which was projected at 2.2 percent in this year and 2.4 percent next year. That is a shift from June, when upside risks outweighed downside risks by 60 to 36 percent. The figures are much higher than those in NABE’s semi-annual survey of a larger group of economists released last month, which also showed rising concerns. Analysts said hurricanes typically depress short-term growth, but the hit is made up for later as rebuilding fuels economic activity. After the Fed’s two-day policy meeting Wednesday, analysts see a good chance of a rate increase in December.

Source: Taipei Times September 25, 2017 15:56 UTC