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| IMF slashes world growth forecast | IMF slashes world growth forecast |
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| The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the world economy will grow much more slowly in the next two years as a result of the credit crunch. | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the world economy will grow much more slowly in the next two years as a result of the credit crunch. |
| In its latest economic forecast, the IMF says that world economic growth will slow to 3.7% in 2008 and 2009, 1.25% lower than growth in 2007. | In its latest economic forecast, the IMF says that world economic growth will slow to 3.7% in 2008 and 2009, 1.25% lower than growth in 2007. |
| The downturn will be led by the US, which the IMF believes will go into a "mild recession" this year. | The downturn will be led by the US, which the IMF believes will go into a "mild recession" this year. |
| Growth in the UK will slow sharply to 1.6% in both 2008 and 2009. | Growth in the UK will slow sharply to 1.6% in both 2008 and 2009. |
| It said that the UK economy would be affected by a weakening housing market, the contraction of the financial sector, and the impact on UK exports of weaker growth in the US and Europe. | It said that the UK economy would be affected by a weakening housing market, the contraction of the financial sector, and the impact on UK exports of weaker growth in the US and Europe. |
| Its UK forecast is substantially below the Treasury forecast of around 2% growth this year and 2.5% next year made at the time of the March Budget. | Its UK forecast is substantially below the Treasury forecast of around 2% growth this year and 2.5% next year made at the time of the March Budget. |
| The greatest risk comes from the still-unfolding events in financial markets (which might lead to) the current credit squeeze mutating into a full-blown credit crunch IMF World Economic Forecast How deep will the pain go?Darling still optimisticSend us your comments | The greatest risk comes from the still-unfolding events in financial markets (which might lead to) the current credit squeeze mutating into a full-blown credit crunch IMF World Economic Forecast How deep will the pain go?Darling still optimisticSend us your comments |
| The IMF admits that the global downturn might be still more severe than it is currently predicting, and says that there is a one in four chance of a "global recession" when world growth falls below 3%. | The IMF admits that the global downturn might be still more severe than it is currently predicting, and says that there is a one in four chance of a "global recession" when world growth falls below 3%. |
| The world downturn will be led by problems in the US housing market, but the IMF warns that excessive house price inflation in some European countries, including Spain, Ireland and the UK, has made them more vulnerable to a slowdown. | The world downturn will be led by problems in the US housing market, but the IMF warns that excessive house price inflation in some European countries, including Spain, Ireland and the UK, has made them more vulnerable to a slowdown. |
| House prices have already fallen by around 10% in the US by some measures, and the IMF says that they may be over-valued by 10% to 20% in the UK. | |
| It is forecasting further falls in US house prices of 14% to 20% this year. | It is forecasting further falls in US house prices of 14% to 20% this year. |
| US recession | US recession |
| The IMF forecasts that the US economy will grow by just 0.5% during 2008 and will actually contract in the first half of the year. | The IMF forecasts that the US economy will grow by just 0.5% during 2008 and will actually contract in the first half of the year. |
| WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Executive summary [200KB]Chapter 1: global prospects and policies [1.8MB]Chapter 2: country and regional perspectives [800 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Executive summary [200KB]Chapter 1: global prospects and policies [1.8MB]Chapter 2: country and regional perspectives [800 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| Its recovery will be slow, with growth of only 0.6% forecast in 2009. | Its recovery will be slow, with growth of only 0.6% forecast in 2009. |
| "The US economy will tip into a mild recession in 2008 as a result of mutually reinforcing housing and financial market cycles, with only a gradual recovery in 2009, reflecting the time needed to resolve underlying balance sheet strains," the report notes. | "The US economy will tip into a mild recession in 2008 as a result of mutually reinforcing housing and financial market cycles, with only a gradual recovery in 2009, reflecting the time needed to resolve underlying balance sheet strains," the report notes. |
| It says that, comparing the US economy year-on-year from the four quarter of 2007 to the fourth quarter of 2008. it will be 0.7% smaller, as the recession bites in the first half of this year. | It says that, comparing the US economy year-on-year from the four quarter of 2007 to the fourth quarter of 2008. it will be 0.7% smaller, as the recession bites in the first half of this year. |
| And it warns that with the scale of the credit losses to the financial sector approaching $1 trillion (£500bn), there is a risk that the crisis could get worse. | And it warns that with the scale of the credit losses to the financial sector approaching $1 trillion (£500bn), there is a risk that the crisis could get worse. |
| Few countries will escape the impact of the global slowdown | Few countries will escape the impact of the global slowdown |
| "The greatest risk comes from the still-unfolding events in financial markets," it says, warning that the current credit squeeze could "mutate into a full-blown credit crunch". | "The greatest risk comes from the still-unfolding events in financial markets," it says, warning that the current credit squeeze could "mutate into a full-blown credit crunch". |
| The IMF says that losses are spreading from sub-prime mortgage assets to other sectors, such as commercial property, consumer credit, and company debt. | The IMF says that losses are spreading from sub-prime mortgage assets to other sectors, such as commercial property, consumer credit, and company debt. |
| The IMF also says that given the potential severity of the problems, "additional initiatives to support the US housing market, including the use of the public balance sheet, could help reduce uncertainties about the evolution of the US financial system" although it warned that "care would be needed to avoid undue moral hazard". | The IMF also says that given the potential severity of the problems, "additional initiatives to support the US housing market, including the use of the public balance sheet, could help reduce uncertainties about the evolution of the US financial system" although it warned that "care would be needed to avoid undue moral hazard". |
| The US Congress and the Bush administration are currently deadlocked over plans for further aid to the housing sector, with Democrats in both branches of Congress proposing an expansion of financial support for home owners facing foreclosure. | The US Congress and the Bush administration are currently deadlocked over plans for further aid to the housing sector, with Democrats in both branches of Congress proposing an expansion of financial support for home owners facing foreclosure. |
| European impact | European impact |
| The biggest impact of the US slowdown is likely to felt in Europe, which is the biggest trading partner with the US. | The biggest impact of the US slowdown is likely to felt in Europe, which is the biggest trading partner with the US. |
| "Activity in the other advanced economies will be sluggish in both 2008 and 2009 in the face of trade and financial spillovers," the IMF says. | "Activity in the other advanced economies will be sluggish in both 2008 and 2009 in the face of trade and financial spillovers," the IMF says. |
| It is predicting growth in the eurozone of just 1.4% in 2008 and 1.2% in 2009, with Europe's largest economy, Germany, growing by just 1% in 2009, a sharp revision of its forecast just three months ago. | It is predicting growth in the eurozone of just 1.4% in 2008 and 1.2% in 2009, with Europe's largest economy, Germany, growing by just 1% in 2009, a sharp revision of its forecast just three months ago. |
| 2008 GROWTH FORECASTS United States: 0.5%Eurozone: 1.4%United Kingdom: 1.6%Source: IMF | 2008 GROWTH FORECASTS United States: 0.5%Eurozone: 1.4%United Kingdom: 1.6%Source: IMF |
| And it says that in light of the slowdown, the European Central Bank - which has kept interest rates unchanged due to concern about inflation - "can afford some easing of its policy stance". | And it says that in light of the slowdown, the European Central Bank - which has kept interest rates unchanged due to concern about inflation - "can afford some easing of its policy stance". |
| And it suggests that in future, central banks should take more account of rising house prices when setting interest rates, in effect "leaning against the wind" to prevent house prices moving out of "normal valuation ranges". | And it suggests that in future, central banks should take more account of rising house prices when setting interest rates, in effect "leaning against the wind" to prevent house prices moving out of "normal valuation ranges". |
| This is an implicit criticism of the US Federal Reserve which kept interest rates at 1% for several years under former chairman Alan Greenspan. | This is an implicit criticism of the US Federal Reserve which kept interest rates at 1% for several years under former chairman Alan Greenspan. |
| Worldwide impact | Worldwide impact |
| The IMF says that the big emerging market countries like China and India which are growing rapidly will be less affected by the slowdown, although they will be affected by a slowdown in trade among the rich countries. | The IMF says that the big emerging market countries like China and India which are growing rapidly will be less affected by the slowdown, although they will be affected by a slowdown in trade among the rich countries. |
| The rate of growth of imports into rich countries is expected to slow sharply, leading to a cut in the rate of growth of exports by developing countries. | The rate of growth of imports into rich countries is expected to slow sharply, leading to a cut in the rate of growth of exports by developing countries. |
| And it warns that the spillover will more severe in Latin America or in countries linked to the dollar, which has declined sharply on world currency markets. | And it warns that the spillover will more severe in Latin America or in countries linked to the dollar, which has declined sharply on world currency markets. |