8
Outlook for
U.S. economy and housing market
U.S. economy and housing market
•Degree
of GDP softening hinges on:
–Consumer spending
in face of higher energy costs and home mortgage payments
–If current housing
downturn extends into other sectors, like commercial
construction
–Strength of U.S.
exports
•Mitigating
factors:
–U.S. payrolls are
continuing to rise
–Unemployment rate
remains low