USA TODAY: …Two weeks after Washington’s latest showdown, more than half of economists surveyed by USA TODAY — 56% — are less optimistic about growth prospects than they were three months ago. The survey of 41 top economists was conducted Oct. 23-24.
What’s more, repeated budget battles in Washington the past few years are having a cumulative effect. Sixty-three percent of the economists say the recurring standoffs are hurting the economy “some” or “a lot.” The remainder cite “a little” damage…
They now expect the economy to grow at a tepid 2.1% annual rate in the fourth quarter and 2.6% in the first quarter, down from their median estimates three months ago of 2.6% and 2.8%, respectively… (more)
