According to the CNBC Fed Survey for March, U.S. economic growth is expected to slow this year and the next. Respondents of the survey include economists, fund managers and strategists.
The survey respondents predict a growth of 2.3% on average for U.S. gross domestic product this year, lowering their expectations compared to the January forecast of 2.44%. The figure also indicates an expected deceleration compared to the actual 3.1% year-over-year growth of the fourth quarter 2018.
For 2020, the respondents expect an even slower economic growth at below 2%.
Global growth sluggishness and trade tariffs were the top reasons cited by respondents as headwinds to the U.S. economic growth. Slowing overseas growth was responsible for a reduction of 40 basis points in the GDP growth forecast, while tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other nations lowered expectations by another 20 basis points.
The implication, according to the survey results, could translate into fewer rate hikes by the Fed. 60% of the respondents are expecting just one hike in policy interest rate this year, while 14% are even conjecturing a possible rate cut.