Growth Forecasts: Percent and Year

growth forecasts: The agency cut its forecast for the United States, however, to 2.2 percent in 2017 and 2.3 percent in 2018 from a previous 2.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, citing its weaker-than-expected first half performance and expectations of more modest fiscal stimulus than previously assumed, according to The Japan Times. The balance of risks is more favorable than it was at the beginning of the year, Moody's said. The ratings agency said surprisingly strong data in the first half of the year prompted it to raise 2017 growth forecasts for China to 6.8 percent from 6.6 percent, for South Korea to 2.8 percent from 2.5 percent, and for Japan to 1.5 percent from 1.1 percent. ; It also expected the euro zone to accelerate in the rest of the year as suggested by robust sentiment indicators, and revised upwards its forecasts for Germany, France and Italy. However, we note event risks related to conflicts in the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, and the Middle East. The agency also said there appeared to be renewed momentum to address bilateral trade issues that the Trump administration deemed as unfair trade practices, which could hurt growth if wide-ranging measures were introduced. The test firing of missiles by North Korea, intensification of aggressive rhetoric on both sides, and a hardline stance from the Trump administration have raised the risk of a conflict in the Korean Peninsula. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.