Goldman lifts US forecast on Biden’s US$1.9 trillion rescue plan
NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) - Goldman Sachs Group economists raised their growth forecasts for the US this year and beyond after President-elect Joe Biden unveiled a sweeping revival plan calling for US$1.9 trillion (S$2.5 trillion) in spending. In a weekend report to clients, economists led by Jan Hatzius predicted the economy would expand 6.6 per cent this year, faster than the 6.4 per cent previously expected. The unemployment rate for the end of 2021 is now seen at 4.5 per cent, down from the prior estimate of 4.8 per cent. The upgrade is fueled by expectation that Mr Biden, aided by a Democratic-controlled Congress, will deliver ample amounts of state fiscal aid, education and public health spending, as well as unemployment insurance benefits, to counter harm from a pandemic now in its most devastating stage to date. Goldman's estimate for 2021 economic growth is the second highest in a Bloomberg survey of 84 economists; the median estimate is 4.1 per cent. While the economists don't expect all parts of Mr Biden's proposal to pass, they predict that an additional US$1,400 in individual stimulus payments will cause a "large spike" in disposable income in the first three months. On Thu...
