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What we can expect from the US economy

By Michael Knox - posted Wednesday, 14 February 2018


The US corporate tax cuts that were passed into law at the end of 2017 are the beginning of a period of sustained structural growth in the US economy. Since WW2, we have only two examples of periods of US growth following major tax reforms. The first was after the tax cuts of the 1960s introduced by the Kennedy /Johnson administration. The second was after the tax cuts of the 1980s introduced by the Reagan/ Bush administration.

In both these cases, corporate tax cuts generated sustained levels of higher corporate investment and higher economic growth. In both these cases, this resulted in lower unemployment and higher living standards. In each case, this improvement in employment and living standards was sustained over the following decade.

The result of the Trump tax cuts should introduce a similar period of sustained growth in the US economy. Corporate investment will be stronger over a series of business cycles. Unemployment will be lower over a series of business cycles. Wages growth and improvement in the standard of living will be higher over a series of business cycles. We have currently experienced a very deep recession in 2008 followed by one of the longest expansions in US history. What we can expect from now on is shallower and shorter business cycles.

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Rises in unemployment when the US economy slows down will be less. This will generate a smaller stock of US unemployment to be absorbed in the next cycle of expansion. This means that business cycle expansions will be shorter. A lower level of average unemployment will lead to a higher average level of wages growth. Thus, growth in living standards will be sustained over a series of business cycles. This is the kind of cyclical behaviour previously seen in the US economy in the 1960s and again in the US economy in the 1980s.

We think that growth in the US economy will accelerate from 2.3% in calendar 2017 to 2.7% in 2018. Growth should slow slightly to 2.5% in 2019. As a result of continued strong growth, unemployment should continue to fall until it reaches a low of around 3.8-3.9% by mid 2018. This very low level of unemployment will be equal to levels not seen since the beginning of this century. It will generate a shortage of labour coming forward to fill the demand for employment. This labour shortage will then generate an increase in wages growth, which will rise quarter by quarter. This higher increase in wages growth will then put sustained upward pressure on core inflation.

The result of higher wages growth and higher core inflation will be a more rapid rise in the Fed funds rate than currently expected. We think that the Fed funds rate will be tightened four times in calendar 2018 and another four times in 2019.

The US Dollar

One of the mysteries that appears to currently beset the market is why, with such an outlook for a tightening Fed funds rate, do we see a falling US dollar? This lack of understanding about the weak US dollar is because of the lack of attention that has been paid to fiscal stimulus. The cut in US corporate tax rates is achieved in part by an increase in the US budget deficit of around three quarters of 1%. This expansion of the US budget deficit adds stimulus to the economy that compensates for the rate hikes in 2018. If we take fiscal policy and monetary policy together there is little tightening of demand policy in the US economy in 2018. Demand conditions are much easier than is commonly understood. These easier demand conditions are leading to a higher US current account deficit and a lower US dollar.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this report is provided to you by Morgans Financial Limited as general advice only, and is made without consideration of an individual’s relevant personal circumstances. Morgans Financial Limited ABN 49 010 669 726, its related bodies corporate, directors and officers, employees, authorised representatives and agents (“Morgans”) do not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising from or in connection with any action taken or not taken on the basis of information contained in this report, or for any errors or omissions contained within. It is recommended that any persons who wish to act upon this report consult with their Morgans investment adviser before doing so. Those acting upon such information without advice do so entirely at their own risk.

This report was prepared as private communication to clients of Morgans and is not intended for public circulation, publication or for USe by any third party. The contents of this report may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Morgans. While this report is based on information from sources which Morgans believes are reliable, its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed reflect Morgans judgement at this date and are subject to change. Morgans is under no obligation to provide revised assessments in the event of changed circumstances. This report does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase any securities and should not be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.



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About the Author

Michael Knox is Chief Economist and Director of Strategy at Morgans.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Michael Knox

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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