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IMF trims global forecast, as Brazil, Canada outlooks deteriorate

October 6, 2015

While it should not be a surprise to anyone who frequents this site that economies around the world are slowing. The IMF appears to hold this thought as well with its recent report. Pretty much across the board the IMF cut growth forecasts. The chart below lays it out pretty well. Most of these cuts revolve around the continued drops in commodities. If we want to take any positives away from the report – at least India and Mexico keep on moving forward.

Click here to visit the original posting page over at Bloomberg.

The International Monetary Fund has grown more pessimistic over the last three months over global growth, as declining commodity prices and increasing financial market volatility take their toll, particularly on emerging markets.

The IMF’s new forecast for global growth this year and next was shaved by 0.2 percentage points each year, compared to the organization’s views from July. The pessimism was stark for Brazil and Canada in particular, with Brazilian projected output shaved by 1.5 percentage points this year and 1.7 percentage points next year, and with Canadian GDP trimmed by a half point lower this year and by 0.4 percentage points next year.

Weak oil prices have hurt both countries, with Brazil also being hurt by its exposure to China and a corruption scandal at state-run Petrobras.

Geography 2014 2015 forecast 2016 forecast
World output 3.4% 3.1% 3.6%
United States 2.4% 2.6% 2.8%
Germany 1.6% 1.5% 1.6%
France 0.2% 1.2% 1.5%
Italy -0.4% 0.8% 1.3%
Spain 1.4% 3.1% 2.5%
Japan -0.1% 0.6% 1%
United Kingdom 3% 2.5% 2.2%
Canada 2.4% 1% 1.7%
Russia 0.6% -3.8% -0.6%
China 7.3% 6.8% 6.3%
India 7.3% 7.3% 7.5%
Brazil 0.1% -3% -1%
Mexico 2.1% 2.3% 2.8%

Emerging economies such as China and Brazil are headed for their fifth straight year of declining growth, the IMF said.

The U.S. forecast from the IMF, of 2.6% growth this year and 2.8% next year, is a tenth of a percent higher for this year and two-tenths lower for 2016. The IMF forecast is a bit more optimistic than the Federal Reserve’s projection of 2.1% growth in 2015 and 2.3% growth in 2016.

Globally, the IMF says persistently low investment helps explain limited labor productivity and wage gains.

“Slow expected potential growth itself dampens aggregate demand, further limiting investment, in a vicious circle. Aging populations further restrain investment in a number of countries; in some others, institutional shortcomings or political instability are deterrents,” the report says.

Discussion
10 Comments
    CFS
    Oct 06, 2015 06:31 AM

    Optimistic!

    Oct 06, 2015 06:32 AM

    Oil appears to be clearly responding to what is happening in Syria as opposed to the information that you have posted above.

    Arguably, you can say the same about gold and silver.

    The above information points to contracting growth and a deflationary enivronment so oil, gold and silver should be down – not up.

    Oct 06, 2015 06:49 AM

    UUP death cross – $ death knell?
    http://schrts.co/jclgkh

      Oct 06, 2015 06:49 AM

      UUP definitely at the tipping point….

      Oct 06, 2015 06:16 PM

      UUP just closed one penny below the 50 week ma. The question is, how will it finish the week?
      http://schrts.co/D6AyRT

    Oct 06, 2015 06:07 AM

    Al, your free chart on the site of the Dow 30 is almost exactly flat over 1 year, below the highs with a hump in price in between.

    The silver 1yr chart looks a little better than gold especially on today’s upmove over $16.

    Oct 06, 2015 06:48 AM

    I wonder where Greece would be on that growth table?

    Oct 06, 2015 06:53 AM

    I’ve never found these forecast numbers to be of much use. Simply educated guesses at best.

    Oct 06, 2015 06:33 PM

    Isn’t this just like Uncle Joe.

    http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2015/10/playing_the_pity_card_biden_himself_leaked_his_sons_dying_wish.html

    I wonder if Uncle Joe will channel Neil Kinnock again.

      Oct 06, 2015 06:04 PM

      That’s Joe Biden 101. Anyone who’s surprised hasn’t been paying attention.