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Content last modified 05/27/2010.

Confidential (FR) Class II FOMC

Part 1

November 3, 2004

CURRENT ECONOMIC
AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Summary and Outlook

Prepared for the Federal Open Market Committee
by the staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Confidential (FR) Class II FOMC

November 3, 2004

Summary and Outlook

Prepared for the Federal Open Market Committee
by the staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Domestic Developments
We currently estimate that real GDP rose at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the third
quarter—a shade below both the BEA’s advance estimate and the projection in the
September Greenbook. Although readings on activity in the fourth quarter are quite
limited at this point, the economy appears to have entered the fall with less underlying
momentum than we had previously projected. In particular, the recent data on
employment and industrial production have been disappointing; Friday’s labor market
report should shed important light on whether the sluggishness has persisted. Sharply
higher oil prices are taking a toll on the economy by depressing the purchasing power of
households, raising business costs, and likely adding to business and consumer caution.
In response to these developments, we have tamped down our near-term forecast
somewhat and now expect real GDP to grow about 3½ percent at an annual rate in the
fourth quarter of this year and about 3 percent in the first quarter of 2005.
Conditions in domestic financial markets have changed little, on net, since midSeptember, and we continue to expect that long-term interest rates will remain low
through 2006. In the foreign exchange markets, the dollar has moved down; we assume
that it will continue to drift lower, lessening the drag from the external sector. Although
the substantial stimulus from the federal budget ends in 2004, fiscal policy now seems
likely to be a bit more supportive of growth in 2005 than was the case a month ago. All
told, we continue to think that the forces are in place to support above-trend growth in
real GDP. Indeed, beyond the first quarter of next year, we project that real GDP will
increase about 4 percent at an annual rate through the end of 2006.
The higher energy prices, of course, will raise headline consumer price inflation in the
near term, and some pass-through of higher energy costs will add a bit to core inflation in
2005. Nonetheless, with slack in resource utilization anticipated to persist throughout the
projection period, we expect core PCE inflation to be just 1½ percent in 2005 and 2006—
the same as in 2004. We expect overall PCE inflation to slow from 2½ percent in 2004 to
1¼ percent per year in 2005 and 2006 as energy prices turn down.
Oil Prices
The spot price of West Texas intermediate crude oil (WTI) now stands at $50 per barrel,
down from the highs of late October but still $6 per barrel higher than at the time of the
September Greenbook. WTI is expected to decline somewhat over the forecast period as
hurricane-related damage to underwater pipelines and other infrastructure in the Gulf of
Mexico is repaired and as oil inventories are rebuilt. But declines in prices will be
limited by strong world demand and continued concerns about the adequacy and

I-2

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

reliability of supply. Consistent with recent readings in futures markets, we expect WTI
to average about $46 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2005 and less than $43 per barrel
in the fourth quarter of 2006. The weighted-average price of imported crude oil, which
comes reasonably close to the actual mix of crude oil grades used by U.S. refiners, has
risen considerably less since mid-September than has WTI; it is expected to average just
over $41 per barrel in the fourth quarter of this year―$2 per barrel more than in the
September Greenbook—but to decrease only slightly over the next two years.
The current situation in energy markets differs markedly from that anticipated at the start
of the year. Notably, in the December 2003 Greenbook, we had expected the imported
oil price to decline from $28 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2003 to $24 per barrel in
the fourth quarter of 2004 and to fall a bit further in 2005. Simulations of the FRB/US
model can provide a rough gauge of the effects of the higher oil prices on the economy.
One of these simulations suggests that—when compared with our expectations in
December 2003—the current path of crude oil prices, along with movements in natural
gas prices and gasoline margins, will reduce real GDP growth over the four quarters of
2004 about ½ percentage point; in the simulation, the damping effect on real growth
shrinks to almost zero in 2005 and turns into a small plus in 2006.1 On the price side, the
oil price shock is estimated to add 1¼ percentage points to overall consumer price
inflation in 2004 and ¼ percentage point to core inflation; the estimated effect on core
inflation includes the influence of higher energy prices on inflation expectations as well
as the direct pass-through of higher energy costs into the prices of other goods and
services. Some upward effects on inflation linger into 2005.
Other Key Background Factors
We assume that the federal funds rate will be raised to 2 percent by the end of 2004 and
will then remain at that level through the third quarter of 2005 before rising gradually to
2¾ percent by the end of 2006. Financial market participants continue to anticipate more
tightening than we do; futures quotes point to a funds rate in the vicinity of 3¼ percent at
the end of 2006. Yields on nominal long-term Treasuries and most private debt have
edged down, on net, since we closed the September Greenbook. Bond rates are
anticipated to drift down a bit more over the next year and then level off as downward
revisions to market participants’ expectations for the funds rate offset the upward
pressure on bond rates that would normally be felt during an episode of policy tightening.

1

In this exercise, we use a version of the model that assumes that households and firms understand the
full implications of current and future oil prices for their permanent income and wealth.

Domestic Developments

I-3

Although equity prices have been buffeted by concerns about developments in the oil
market, they have changed little, on balance, since the September Greenbook. We
continue to assume that share prices will henceforth increase at a rate of 6½ percent per
year, which would roughly maintain risk-adjusted parity with the yield on long-term
bonds. As in the September Greenbook, we expect house prices, as measured by the
OFHEO repeat-transactions index, to rise 3¾ percent over the four quarters of 2005 and
3 percent in 2006 after having risen nearly 7 percent in 2004.
We have adjusted our fiscal assumptions modestly since the last Greenbook. On the
receipts side, we have built in the corporate tax legislation that was signed into law in
October; it is estimated to reduce receipts about $7 billion in fiscal 2005 and $9 billion in
fiscal 2006. The main purpose of the legislation was to repeal the extra-territorial income
exclusion that had been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization and to replace it
with a phased-in reduction in the effective corporate income tax rate on domestic
manufacturers. It also included a new sales tax deduction for individual taxpayers, a onetime reduction in taxes on repatriated foreign earnings, and a plethora of other provisions.
(The President also signed the extension of the expiring personal tax provisions last
month, but we had already assumed these extensions in previous Greenbooks.) As for
spending, we have taken on board the recently enacted $15 billion of emergency funding
for hurricane and drought relief. In addition, because of indications that the supplemental
appropriation for operations in Iraq is likely to be larger than we had anticipated, we have
added $10 billion to the assumed level of defense spending in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006.
In light of these changes and the weaker incomes in our current forecast, we have raised
our deficit projections to $412 billion in 2005 and $392 billion in 2006, only slightly
lower than the $413 billion figure for 2004. In the September Greenbook, we had
forecast the deficit to drop to $363 billion in 2005 and $351 billion in 2006.
As a result of the changes to our fiscal assumptions, we now think that the federal
budget—which provided considerable support to economic activity this year—will be a
neutral influence on GDP growth in 2005; the fiscal assumptions in the September
forecast had implied a small dose of restraint next year. We still expect policy to provide
a bit of stimulus to aggregate demand in 2006, mainly because of the implementation of
the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
The foreign exchange value of the dollar has declined since the September Greenbook,
and we have lowered our projection for the real trade-weighted dollar in the current
quarter about 2 percent. As in our previous projection, we assume some modest further

I-4

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

real depreciation between now and the end of 2006. On the whole, the incoming data for
economic activity abroad have been a bit below our expectations, and we have inched
down our projection for foreign GDP, which is now expected to increase 3¾ percent in
2004 and 3¼ percent per year in 2005 and 2006.
Recent Developments and the Near-Term Outlook
We now estimate that real GDP increased at an annual rate of 3½ percent in the third
quarter.2 Paced by strong gains in consumer spending and business fixed investment,
private domestic final purchases rose at an annual rate of 5¼ percent. However,
inventory investment fell appreciably as a liquidation of motor vehicle stocks more than
offset a step-up in stockbuilding elsewhere, and real net exports dropped further.
We expect real GDP to increase at an annual rate of 3½ percent in the fourth quarter,
½ percentage point less than in the September Greenbook. An important factor in the
downward revision is the incoming labor market information, which has not been as
upbeat as the spending indicators. Private nonfarm payrolls posted meager gains
throughout the summer and were up just 59,000 in September. We still expect hiring to
strengthen a bit over the course of the current quarter, but given the lack of significant
improvement to date in initial claims and other labor market indicators, we have marked
down the average monthly increase in private employment to 100,000. The
unemployment rate was flat at 5.4 percent in September; we expect it to inch up to
5.5 percent over the next few months.
Manufacturing output has also been on the soft side recently: It fell 0.3 percent in
September—excluding hurricane losses, it was probably about flat. For the third quarter
as a whole, manufacturing IP rose at an annual rate of just 4½ percent, compared with a
rise of nearly 7 percent in the first half of the year. We expect it to rise just 3¾ percent at
an annual rate in the fourth quarter, 2 percentage points less than in the September
Greenbook.
Consumer spending has regained some vigor in recent months after having faltered
around midyear. In the third quarter, real PCE rose at an annual rate of 4½ percent, as
outlays on motor vehicles rebounded after a second-quarter dip and purchases of other
2

Our current estimate of GDP growth is a shade below the BEA’s advance estimate, mainly because
the data on construction put-in-place, which were released on November 1, were lower than the BEA had
assumed. We also think that their figure for real net exports, which is based on foreign trade data through
August, is too high.

I-5

Domestic Developments

Summary of the Near-Term Outlook
(Percent change at annual rate except as noted)
2004:Q3
Measure
Real GDP
Private domestic final purchases
Personal consumption expenditures
Residential investment
Business fixed investment
Government outlays for consumption
and investment

Inventory investment
Net exports

2004:Q4

Sept.
GB

Nov.
GB

Sept.
GB

Nov.
GB

3.6
4.2
3.7
-.8
10.9

3.4
5.2
4.6
2.1
11.2

4.1
4.8
4.1
-.5
12.6

3.4
3.7
2.9
.8
10.6

3.9

1.0

1.2

1.1

-.7
.0

-.5
-.7

.2
-.4

.2
-.1

goods and services advanced. Our forecast has real PCE growth slowing to 3 percent in
the fourth quarter, mainly because of a drop in spending on motor vehicles. Sales of light
vehicles appear to have slipped in October as the manufacturers trimmed incentives; they
are likely to remain subdued over the next couple of months unless the automakers
backtrack and sweeten the incentive pot. Real disposable personal income (DPI) is
expected to increase at an annual rate of 8 percent in the fourth quarter, but the increase is
attributable mainly to the one-time Microsoft dividend payout, which is expected to have
little effect on consumption.
Housing starts fell sharply in September, but other key indicators of housing activity—in
particular, adjusted permits and home sales—were robust. In addition, mortgage rates
remain low. Accordingly, we expect single-family starts to rebound in October and to
average 1.63 million units at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, the same as in the third
quarter. Real residential investment rose at an annual rate of 2 percent in the third quarter
after surging earlier in the year; it is expected to increase a little further in the fourth
quarter, in part because of post-hurricane rebuilding and repair efforts.
Real investment in equipment and software rose at an annual rate of 15 percent in the
third quarter. Although real high-tech spending barely grew, outlays for transportation
equipment—especially medium and heavy trucks—advanced briskly, and spending on
other capital goods posted an enormous increase—likely in part because of the partial-

I-6

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

expensing tax incentive. As for the fourth quarter, recent company reports and the
available anecdotal information point to continued softness in high-tech spending.
However, the steep uptrend in orders for capital goods outside the high-tech and
transportation areas points to another substantial gain for this broad category, and we are
looking for an increase of 12½ percent in total E&S in the fourth quarter.
After factoring in the construction data for September, we estimate that real investment in
nonresidential structures was down slightly in the third quarter. On the expectation that
spending on drilling and mining structures—especially for natural gas—will continue to
rise briskly and that some post-hurricane repair of power lines and underwater pipelines
will occur this quarter, we project a moderate increase in nonresidential construction in
the fourth quarter.
In the government sector, real federal expenditures on consumption and gross investment
rose at an annual rate of 4½ percent in the third quarter as a jump in defense spending
was partly offset by a downward blip in nondefense expenditures. Early indications are
that defense spending will fall a bit in the fourth quarter and thus that overall federal
purchases will be flat. In the state and local sector, purchases were down slightly in the
third quarter as construction spending reversed its second-quarter spurt. With budgetary
strains continuing to ease and with hiring apparently firming, we are projecting a small
advance in state and local purchases in the fourth quarter.
Nonfarm inventory investment (outside the motor vehicles industry) picked up from an
already elevated annual rate of $42 billion in the second quarter to nearly $70 billion in
the third quarter. Even so, with the noteworthy exceptions of semiconductors, paper, and
some chemicals, non-auto inventories do not seem out of line with sales. Our projection
assumes that non-auto inventory investment will remain substantial in the fourth
quarter—albeit at a lower level than in the third quarter.
In the external sector, we estimate that real exports rose at an annual rate of just
4½ percent in the third quarter, dragged down by weakness in services and
semiconductors. Although real imports decelerated noticeably after a sizable increase in
the first half of the year, we still estimate that net exports subtracted ¾ percentage point
from the increase in GDP in the third quarter. We expect the drag from the external
sector to lessen markedly in the current quarter, mainly because of a pickup in exports.
In line with our anticipation that some of the special factors boosting core inflation during
the first half of the year would unwind during the second half, core PCE prices rose at an

Domestic Developments

I-7

annual rate of just ¾ percent in the third quarter; we expect these prices to rise
1½ percent in the fourth quarter—close to our estimate of their underlying pace. With
PCE energy prices projected to be up at an annual rate of 20 percent this quarter, overall
PCE prices should increase 2½ percent.
The Longer-Term Outlook for the Economy
Real GDP is expected to increase only about 3 percent at an annual rate in the first
quarter of 2005 as consumers and businesses continue to adjust to this year’s higher
energy prices and capital spending hits a pothole after the expiration of the partialexpensing tax incentive. But with the energy-related headwinds abating and long-term
interest rates remaining low, we expect real GDP growth to pick up to a pace of about
4 percent in subsequent quarters and to remain in that vicinity through 2006.
Household spending. We have lowered the projection for consumer spending in early
2005 to reflect the hits to real income from the higher energy prices to date and the
slower hiring we are now forecasting. But real income growth should pick up thereafter
as the expected improvement in the job market bolsters wages and salaries and as energy
prices turn down. In 2006, income will get a further boost from the implementation of
the Medicare prescription drug benefit. We expect consumers to respond with a lag to
the step-up in income. Real PCE is expected to rise 3¾ percent in 2005—½ percentage
point more than in 2004—and 4 percent in 2006. As in the last Greenbook, we expect
household net worth to rise about in line with disposable income over the next two years.
Housing activity seems likely to enter 2005 with a good head of steam. On the
expectation that mortgage rates will remain low, we have left the projection for singlefamily starts at about 1.60 million units in both 2005 and 2006, essentially the same as
the stellar pace we now anticipate for 2004. Multifamily starts are projected at 350,000
units in both 2005 and 2006, also the same as in 2004.
Business investment. We have lowered the projection for growth in real investment in
equipment and software in 2005 to 8¾ percent, largely in response to hints that the
lackluster performance of the high-tech sector will persist awhile longer. Nonetheless,
the broad contours of the projection are the same as in the September Greenbook: a
partial-expensing-induced lull in spending in the first quarter of the year, followed by
double-digit increases in subsequent quarters. The reasons for the projected increases in
E&S are familiar: They include the favorable prospects for sales, the supportive
financing environment, ample stocks of liquid assets, and the ongoing need to replace or

I-8

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Projections of Real GDP
(Percent change at annual rate from end
of preceding period except as noted)
Measure
Real GDP
Previous

2004: 2005:
H2
H1

2005

2006

3.4
3.8

3.5
3.7

3.7
3.8

4.0
4.0

3.6
4.1

3.9
3.8

4.0
4.0

3.9
4.0

PCE
Previous

3.8
3.9

3.5
4.0

3.7
3.9

4.0
4.1

Residential investment
Previous

1.5
-.6

2.4
1.8

2.3
2.5

3.9
3.9

10.9
11.8

5.5
6.1

8.1
9.4

9.0
9.9

Government purchases
Previous

1.1
2.5

3.4
2.3

2.9
2.4

2.5
2.7

Exports
Previous

7.4
9.6

6.7
6.5

7.6
7.2

7.0
6.4

Imports
Previous

7.7
7.8

3.6
5.1

5.8
6.8

8.3
8.6

Final sales
Previous

BFI
Previous

Contribution to growth
(percentage points)
Inventory change
Previous

-.2
-.3

-.5
-.1

-.3
-.2

.1
.0

Net exports
Previous

-.4
-.2

.1
-.1

-.1
-.3

-.6
-.7

upgrade aging equipment and software and take advantage of productivity-enhancing
innovations. We expect E&S to rise 11 percent in 2006, with solid increases anticipated
for both high-tech and other types of spending. (The new corporate tax legislation is
expected to have little effect on equipment spending over the next few years both because
the legislation provides only a small, phased-in reduction in marginal tax rates and
because the firms that will benefit from the one-time drop in taxes on repatriated earnings
are large corporations that already have access to financing from various sources.)

Domestic Developments

I-9

Investment in nonresidential construction continues to show a few tentative signs of
improvement; we expect it to rise moderately in 2005 and 2006. Outlays on non-office
commercial buildings (mainly stores and warehouses), for which market conditions are
quite positive, are already moving up. And so long as business activity and hiring expand
about as we are anticipating, construction in other major sectors should pick up a bit from
the depressed levels of the past couple of years. Spending on drilling and mining
structures is expected to have another strong year in 2005 but—barring a further surge in
energy prices—to turn down in 2006.
Inventory investment is likely to remain elevated in early 2005 as businesses replenish
stocks depleted by the tax-induced run-up in capital goods outlays late this year. But
given the ongoing improvements in supply-chain and logistics management, we
anticipate that, in subsequent quarters, businesses will slow their stockbuilding to a rate
that keeps inventory-to-sales ratios on a downward trend. This downshift in inventory
investment is expected to cut ¼ percentage point from real GDP growth in 2005;
inventories are expected not to be a significant influence on growth in 2006.
Government spending. Consistent with the changes to our fiscal assumptions noted
above, we have raised the projected increase in real federal expenditures for consumption
and investment over the four quarters of 2005 to 3½ percent, mainly because of a larger
increase in defense expenditures. Real spending is expected to continue to grow in 2006,
although less rapidly than in 2004 and 2005; we have built in small real increases in both
the defense and the nondefense categories. Meanwhile, an easing of budgetary pressures
should allow state and local governments to speed up their spending after the exceptional
restraint of the past couple of years. In our forecast, real state and local purchases rise
about 2½ percent per year in 2005 and 2006, after having risen only about ½ percent per
year in 2003 and 2004.
Net exports. The lower assumed path for the dollar led us to raise the projected growth
in real exports to 7¼ percent per year, on average, in 2005 and in 2006, about the same as
our current estimate for 2004. On the import side, the weaker dollar and the downward
revisions to our forecast for U.S. GDP growth have caused us to lower the forecast for
import growth to 5¾ percent in 2005 and 8¼ percent in 2006. All in all, real net exports
are expected to deduct less than ¼ percentage point from real GDP growth in 2005 but
about ½ percentage point from the growth in output in 2006. (The International
Developments section provides more detail on the outlook for the external sector.)

I-10

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Aggregate Supply, the Labor Market, and Inflation
We assume that potential GDP is rising 3.4 percent in 2004 and will rise 3.2 percent in
2005 and 3.3 percent in 2006. With actual GDP projected to increase roughly
½ percentage point per year faster than potential, the output gap should shrink from about
1½ percent of GDP currently to ¼ percent of GDP by the fourth quarter of 2006. The
unemployment rate is projected to be little changed in 2005 and to fall to just a shade
above 5 percent by the end of 2006—close to our estimate of the natural rate. Although
headline inflation is being pushed up in the near term by higher energy prices, we expect
core inflation to remain subdued through 2006.
Productivity and the labor market. We anticipate that hiring will remain relatively
slow through the first quarter. But by next spring, with output accelerating and concerns
about the energy situation continuing to ease, businesses should begin stepping up their
hiring. Indeed, we expect job gains in the private sector to average a bit more than
200,000 per month over the last three quarters of 2005 and to slow only a little in 2006.
We estimate that output per hour in the nonfarm business sector rose at an annual rate of
just 1 percent in the third quarter of 2004 after having risen nearly 4 percent over the first
half. We expect productivity growth to be relatively slow again in the fourth quarter and
to remain below its underlying structural pace as hiring picks up in 2005 and 2006.
Prices and labor costs. We expect the four-quarter change in core PCE prices to total
1½ percent in 2005 and 2006—about the same as in 2004. This forecast is shaped by
several cross-currents. On the one hand, a slight step-down in structural productivity
growth and a narrowing in the margin of slack will act to raise core inflation. On the
other hand, the upward pressure from the pass-through of higher energy prices and a
lower dollar will diminish as we move through the projection period. Overall PCE
inflation is forecast to drop from 2½ percent in 2004 to 1¼ percent in 2005 and 2006 as
energy prices turn down.
As for hourly compensation, the twelve-month change in the employment cost index has
been running around 4 percent over the past couple of years; we expect it to remain in
this neighborhood in 2005 and 2006. Because of the higher price inflation in 2004, our
current projection for the ECI in 2005 is one-tenth higher than the projection in the
September Greenbook.

I-11

Domestic Developments

Decomposition of Structural Labor Productivity
(Percent change, Q4 to Q4, except as noted)
1974- 199695
2001

Measure
Structural labor productivity
Previous
Contributions1
Capital deepening
Previous
Multifactor productivity
Previous
Labor composition
MEMO
Potential GDP
Previous

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

1.5
1.5

2.7
2.7

3.2
3.2

3.7
3.7

3.0
3.0

2.7
2.7

2.8
2.8

.7
.7
.5
.5
.3

1.3
1.4
1.1
1.1
.3

.6
.6
2.4
2.4
.3

.6
.6
2.8
2.8
.3

.8
.8
2.0
2.0
.3

.9
.9
1.6
1.6
.3

1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
.3

3.0
3.0

3.4
3.4

3.4
3.4

3.8
3.8

3.4
3.4

3.2
3.3

3.3
3.4

NOTE. Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. For multiyear periods, the
percent change is the annual average from Q4 of the year preceding the first year shown to Q4 of
the last shown.
1. Percentage points.

The Outlook for the Labor Market
(Percent change, Q4 to Q4, except as noted)
Measure
Output per hour, nonfarm business
Previous
Nonfarm private payroll employment
Previous
Household survey employment
Previous
Labor force participation rate1
Previous
Civilian unemployment rate1
Previous
MEMO
GDP gap2
Previous

2003

2004

2005

2006

5.6
5.6
-.2
-.2
1.2
1.2
66.1
66.1
5.9
5.9

2.5
2.2
1.5
1.9
1.2
1.4
66.1
66.2
5.5
5.5

1.9
1.8
2.1
2.5
1.8
1.8
66.4
66.5
5.4
5.3

2.5
2.6
2.1
2.2
1.5
1.7
66.5
66.6
5.1
5.1

1.7
1.7

1.4
1.2

.9
.7

.2
.1

1. Percent, average for the fourth quarter
2. Percent difference between potential and actual GDP in the fourth quarter
of the year indicated. A positive number indicates that the economy is
operating below potential.

I-12

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Inflation Projections
(Percent change, Q4 to Q4, except as noted)
Measure

2003

2004

2005

2006

1.7
1.7

2.5
2.2

1.2
1.3

1.3
1.3

Food and beverages
Previous

2.7
2.7

2.8
2.8

1.9
1.9

1.8
1.7

Energy
Previous

7.2
7.2

18.8
11.0

-5.5
-2.4

-1.0
-1.4

Excluding food and energy
Previous

1.2
1.2

1.5
1.6

1.5
1.4

1.4
1.3

1.9
1.9

3.3
2.8

1.4
1.5

1.6
1.5

Excluding food and energy
Previous

1.2
1.2

2.1
2.0

1.9
1.8

1.8
1.7

GDP chain-weighted price index
Previous

1.7
1.7

2.2
2.0

1.4
1.7

1.6
1.6

ECI for compensation of private
industry workers1
Previous

4.0
4.0

4.0
4.1

4.2
4.1

4.1
4.2

NFB compensation per hour
Previous

5.4
5.4

3.6
3.6

4.2
4.1

4.2
4.2

Prices of core nonfuel imports
Previous

1.6
1.6

4.0
3.7

.5
.2

.2
.1

PCE chain-weighted price index
Previous

Consumer price index
Previous

1. December to December.

Financial Flows and Conditions
Total domestic nonfinancial debt is on track to grow about 8 percent this year, broadly
consistent with our previous forecast. We continue to project that debt growth will slow
to a 7 percent pace in 2005 and 2006. The forecasts for household and business
borrowing have been revised down slightly since the last Greenbook, but we have revised
up the path for government borrowing.
The limited data on household borrowing that we received during the intermeeting period
were consistent with our expectations. We expect total household debt to expand nearly
10 percent during 2004, led by a double-digit increase in mortgage debt. Going forward,
we expect mortgage borrowing to slow as a result of smaller projected increases in house

Domestic Developments

I-13

prices. Overall, growth in total household debt should drop to about 7¼ percent per year
in 2005 and 2006.
Nonfinancial businesses borrowed a little less in the third quarter than we had anticipated
in the last Greenbook, leading us to trim our estimate of business debt growth for 2004
¼ percentage point, to 5¼ percent. We continue to expect business borrowing to pick up
gradually in 2005 and 2006. That said, the temporary reduction in the tax on repatriated
foreign business earnings should give businesses greater flexibility to use their cash
balances to increase payouts to shareholders, to pay down some of their existing debt, or
to finance future spending that otherwise would have been funded with new borrowing.
As a result, we have marked down our forecast for business debt growth in 2005 to
6 percent—but left growth in 2006 at 6½ percent.
Federal debt is expected to grow about 10 percent this year, a pace slightly less than last
year’s. Consistent with the larger unified budget deficits in this Greenbook, we have
revised up the projected growth of federal debt to about 8¾ percent per year, on average,
over 2005 and 2006. State and local government debt is expected to grow 7½ percent in
2004, down a bit from last year’s pace. Going forward, we expect growth in state and
local debt to drop below 4 percent per year in 2005 and 2006, as local government
finances improve and as the pool of refundable issues dwindles.
The combination of somewhat slower income growth and higher opportunity costs
resulting from tighter monetary policy is expected to reduce M2 growth from about
5¼ percent in the first three quarters of 2004 to 3½ percent in the fourth quarter.
Opportunity costs are expected to increase slowly over the next two years. Consequently,
M2 is expected to grow 2½ percent in 2005 and 3½ percent in 2006—significantly less
than the growth in nominal income.
Alternative Simulations
In this section, we evaluate alternatives to the staff forecast using simulations of the
FRB/US model. In the first scenario, the recent run-up in oil prices sparks a sharper
contraction in consumer and business spending than we have allowed for in the baseline
projection. In the second, the expiration of the partial-expensing tax incentive does not
produce a significant pothole in investment next year. The next two scenarios consider
contrasting risks for structural productivity growth: One is that we have underestimated
how fast it has been rising; the other is that its growth rate will slow over the projection
period to a pace closer to its long-run average. The fifth scenario considers another

I-14

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Alternative Scenarios
(Percent change, annual rate, from end of preceding period,
except as noted)
2004

Measure and scenario

2005

2006

H1

H2

H1

H2

Real GDP
Baseline
Faltering expansion
Stronger investment
Higher productivity
Productivity slowdown
More inflation
Market-based funds rate

3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9

3.4
2.7
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.4
3.4

3.5
2.6
4.2
3.9
3.5
3.5
3.4

3.9
4.1
4.3
4.4
3.6
4.1
3.6

4.0
4.3
4.5
4.6
3.2
4.3
3.6

Civilian unemployment rate1
Baseline
Faltering expansion
Stronger investment
Higher productivity
Productivity slowdown
More inflation
Market-based funds rate

5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6

5.5
5.6
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5

5.4
5.8
5.3
5.3
5.4
5.4
5.4

5.4
5.8
5.2
5.3
5.3
5.4
5.5

5.1
5.3
4.7
5.1
5.1
4.9
5.4

PCE prices
excluding food and energy
Baseline
Faltering expansion
Stronger investment
Higher productivity
Productivity slowdown
More inflation
Market-based funds rate

1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9

1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.5
1.8
1.5

1.4
1.3
1.4
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.3

1.4
1.3
1.4
1.3
1.7
1.8
1.3

1. Average for the final quarter of the period.

supply-side risk: the possibility that this year’s run-up in energy prices will be more
inflationary than we expect. In all these scenarios, the nominal funds rate is assumed to
follow its baseline path. The final scenario assumes that the funds rate follows a path
consistent with current readings from the futures market.
Faltering expansion. As discussed earlier, we believe that this year’s run-up in oil
prices has significantly restrained real activity. However, we may have underestimated
its adverse effects: In the 1970s and early 1980s, large increases in oil prices were

Domestic Developments

I-15

associated with outsized declines in consumer spending—possibly reflecting nonlinear
effects. Moreover, the recent sluggish pace of hiring may be an indication that higher oil
prices have increased business caution even more than we think. The evidence in favor
of such nonlinear effects is inconclusive, but we cannot rule them out. In this scenario,
we slow the rise of consumer spending through mid-2005 to incorporate more of the
unusual weakness that was evident during the oil shocks of the 1970s and early 1980s.
We also restrain the pace of hiring and hold growth in E&S spending 4 percentage points
(annual rate) below baseline through the middle of next year. We assume that thereafter,
as 2005 unfolds, households and businesses become increasingly convinced that the
worst of the oil shock is over and their confidence starts to recover. On net, real GDP
increases only 2 percent at an annual rate in the current quarter and 2½ percent in the first
half of next year; in subsequent quarters, real growth is a bit faster than in the baseline.
The unemployment rate reaches 5¾ percent by the end of 2005 but is down to 5¼ percent
at the end of 2006. Inflation is a touch below baseline in 2006.
Stronger investment. In the Greenbook forecast, real expenditures on equipment and
software decelerate almost 4 percentage points in 2005, largely as a consequence of the
expiration of partial expensing. Gauging the effects of tax incentives on investment is
difficult, and recent increases in E&S may reflect, to a greater degree than we have been
assuming, underlying strength rather than the partial-expensing provision. In this
scenario, we assume that partial expensing has had—and will continue to have—little
effect on equipment investment; we thus ascribe virtually all the recent strength in E&S
to fundamentals other than tax effects. This alternative assumption virtually eliminates
the pothole in business spending in early 2005 and lifts growth in real E&S in 2005 to
about the 14 percent pace we now expect for the second half of 2004. As a result, real
GDP rises about 4¼ percent next year and 4½ percent in 2006, and the unemployment
rate moves down to 4¾ percent by the end of 2006. Inflation is little changed from the
Greenbook projection as price pressures from higher spending are about offset by a faster
pace of capital deepening.
Higher productivity. Recent employment gains have once again fallen short of our
expectations. One reason may be that structural labor productivity is higher than we now
estimate and accordingly the gap between actual and structural productivity is smaller. If
so, the workforce is not being stretched as much as we think, and firms have less need to
engage in “catch up” hiring. In this scenario, we assume that, since the start of 2003,
structural productivity has been growing ½ percentage point per year faster than the staff
estimates and will continue to do so over the next two years; we also assume that,

I-16

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

because the faster productivity growth has been occurring for nearly two years, it has
already been recognized by participants in financial markets. The brighter outlook for
structural productivity growth induces a commensurate increment to real GDP growth,
which runs about ½ percentage point per year faster than in the baseline. Because of the
greater productivity gains, inflation is a touch lower than in the baseline.
Productivity slowdown. In the baseline projection, structural labor productivity
increases 2¾ percent in both 2005 and 2006, continuing the run of elevated gains that
started in the mid-1990s. However, this pace is above the longer-run average, and history
suggests that productivity booms eventually die out. (In this regard, it is noteworthy that
prices of high-tech goods are no longer declining as rapidly as they did in the late 1990s.)
In this scenario, the current productivity boom largely fades away over the next two
years, and structural labor productivity growth slows to 2 percent in 2006. Consumption
and investment moderate in response to the less-favorable prospects for future income
and earnings. Although the stock market is down substantially (because the slowing in
productivity comes as a surprise to investors), its negative effects on aggregate demand
are mitigated by a drop in long-term interest rates. Under these conditions, real GDP
increases 3¼ percent in 2006. Inflation is higher than in the baseline because wages are
slow to adjust to the smaller gains in structural productivity, which results in greater
upward pressure on unit labor costs.
More inflation. Since the mid-1980s, the sensitivity of inflation to oil price movements
appears to have fallen by half, even after controlling for the drop in the economy’s energy
intensity. One explanation for this shift may be that inflation expectations are now better
anchored than they were during the oil price spikes of the 1970s. Although the
experience of the past twenty years, coupled with the relative stability of current readings
on expected inflation, supports our belief that expectations will remain well anchored, we
may be too optimistic. In this scenario, we allow long-run inflation expectations to rise
enough to double the effect of energy prices on core PCE prices built into the baseline
forecast. As a result, core inflation picks up to 1¾ percent in both 2005 and 2006. Real
activity is a bit stronger than in the staff projection because, with the nominal funds rate
held unchanged at its baseline path, real interest rates are lower.
Market-based funds rate. Quotes from futures markets are consistent with a more
pronounced tightening in monetary policy than that incorporated into the staff outlook;
specifically, market-based expectations of the funds rate are about 50 basis points above
baseline by the end of 2005 and throughout 2006. The higher level of the funds rate has

Domestic Developments

I-17

only a small effect on real activity and inflation next year, but the effects of tighter policy
are more noticeable in 2006, when real GDP rises only 3½ percent and the
unemployment rate ends the year at 5½ percent.

I-18

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Selected Greenbook Projections and
70 Percent Confidence Intervals Derived from
Historical Forecast Errors and FRB/US Simulations
Measure
Real GDP
(percent change, Q4 to Q4)
Projection
Confidence interval
Greenbook forecast errors1
FRB/US stochastic simulations
Civilian unemployment rate
(percent, Q4)
Projection
Confidence interval
Greenbook forecast errors1
FRB/US stochastic simulations
PCE prices
excluding food and energy
(percent change, Q4 to Q4)
Projection
Confidence interval
Greenbook forecast errors2
FRB/US stochastic simulations

2004

2005

2006

3.7

3.7

4.0

3.1–4.2 1.9–5.5 2.1–5.8
3.0–4.2 2.2–5.3 2.2–5.8

5.5

5.4

5.1

5.4–5.6 4.6–6.1 4.0–6.2
5.2–5.7 4.5–6.1 4.0–6.1

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3–1.7
1.3–1.7

.8–2.2
.8–2.2

.4–2.4
.5–2.3

NOTE. Shocks underlying stochastic simulations are randomly drawn
from the 1978–2003 set of model equation residuals.
1. 1978–2003.
2. 1981–2003.

I-19

Forecast Confidence Intervals and Alternative Scenarios
Confidence Intervals Based on FRB/US Stochastic Simulations
Greenbook baseline
Faltering expansion
Stronger investment
Higher productivity

Productivity slowdown
More inflation
Market-based funds rate

Real GDP
4-quarter percent change

7

7

90 percent interval

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

70 percent interval

1

1

0

0
2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Unemployment Rate
Percent

7.0

7.0

6.5

6.5

6.0

6.0

5.5

5.5

5.0

5.0

4.5

4.5

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.0

3.0
2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

PCE Prices excluding Food and Energy
4-quarter percent change

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

0.5

0.5

0.0

0.0
2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

(This page intentionally blank.)

I-21

Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

November 3, 2004

STAFF PROJECTIONS OF CHANGES IN GDP, PRICES, AND UNEMPLOYMENT
(Percent, annual rate)

Nominal GDP
Interval

GDP chain-weighted
price index

Real GDP

Consumer
price index1

Unemployment
rate2

09/15/04

11/03/04

09/15/04

11/03/04

09/15/04

11/03/04

09/15/04

11/03/04

09/15/04

11/03/04

3.5
4.9
6.4
5.5
5.7

3.5
4.9
6.5
5.2
5.6

1.9
3.0
4.4
3.8
4.0

1.9
3.0
4.3
3.5
3.9

1.7
1.8
2.0
1.6
1.6

1.7
1.8
2.1
1.6
1.6

1.6
2.3
2.5
1.7
1.5

1.6
2.3
2.7
2.0
1.5

5.8
6.0
5.5
5.4
5.2

5.8
6.0
5.5
5.4
5.3

ANNUAL
______
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
QUARTERLY
_________
2003

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

4.9
5.3
8.8
5.7

4.9
5.3
8.8
5.7

1.9
4.1
7.4
4.2

1.9
4.1
7.4
4.2

2.7
1.1
1.4
1.6

2.7
1.1
1.4
1.6

3.8
0.7
2.4
0.7

3.8
0.7
2.4
0.7

5.8
6.1
6.1
5.9

5.8
6.1
6.1
5.9

2004

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

7.4
6.6
4.5
5.2

7.4
6.6
4.8
5.2

4.5
3.3
3.6
4.1

4.5
3.3
3.4
3.4

2.8
3.2
0.8
1.1

2.8
3.2
1.3
1.7

3.5
4.8
1.8
1.1

3.5
4.8
1.9
3.2

5.6
5.6
5.5
5.5

5.6
5.6
5.5
5.5

2005

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

5.8
5.5
5.5
5.5

4.8
5.2
5.4
5.5

3.7
3.8
3.9
3.9

3.1
3.8
3.9
3.9

2.1
1.7
1.5
1.5

1.6
1.3
1.4
1.5

1.6
1.5
1.5
1.5

1.6
1.1
1.3
1.5

5.4
5.4
5.4
5.3

5.5
5.4
5.4
5.4

2006

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

6.0
5.6
5.6
5.5

5.8
5.6
5.5
5.4

4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0

3.9
4.0
4.0
4.0

1.9
1.5
1.5
1.4

1.8
1.5
1.5
1.4

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5

1.5
1.6
1.5
1.6

5.3
5.2
5.2
5.1

5.4
5.3
5.2
5.1

TWO-QUARTER3
___________
2003

Q2
Q4

5.1
7.2

5.1
7.2

3.0
5.8

3.0
5.8

1.9
1.5

1.9
1.5

2.2
1.5

2.2
1.5

0.2
-0.2

0.2
-0.2

2004

Q2
Q4

7.0
4.8

7.0
5.0

3.9
3.8

3.9
3.4

3.0
1.0

3.0
1.5

4.2
1.5

4.2
2.5

-0.3
-0.1

-0.3
-0.1

2005

Q2
Q4

5.7
5.5

5.0
5.4

3.7
3.9

3.5
3.9

1.9
1.5

1.4
1.4

1.6
1.5

1.3
1.4

-0.1
-0.1

-0.1
0.0

2006

Q2
Q4

5.8
5.5

5.7
5.5

4.0
4.0

4.0
4.0

1.7
1.4

1.7
1.5

1.5
1.5

1.5
1.6

-0.1
-0.1

-0.1
-0.2

3.8
6.2
5.9
5.6
5.7

3.8
6.2
6.0
5.2
5.6

2.3
4.4
3.9
3.8
4.0

2.3
4.4
3.7
3.7
4.0

1.6
1.7
2.0
1.7
1.6

1.6
1.7
2.2
1.4
1.6

2.2
1.9
2.8
1.5
1.5

2.2
1.9
3.3
1.4
1.6

0.3
0.0
-0.4
-0.1
-0.2

0.3
0.0
-0.4
-0.1
-0.2

FOUR-QUARTER4
____________
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006

1.
2.
3.
4.

Q4
Q4
Q4
Q4
Q4

For all urban consumers.
Level, except as noted.
Percent change from two quarters earlier; for unemployment rate, change in percentage points.
Percent change from four quarters earlier; for unemployment rate, change in percentage points.

I-22
Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

November 3, 2004
REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RELATED ITEMS, ANNUAL VALUES
(Seasonally adjusted annual rate)

- - - - - Projected - - - - Units1

Item

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

8747.0
9066.9

9268.4
9470.3

9817.0
9817.0

10128.0
9890.7

10487.0
10074.8

11004.0
10381.3

11717.4
10831.3

12321.2
11210.9

13006.0
11652.5

4.5
5.5
4.8
6.4

4.7
5.5
4.2
5.3

2.2
3.0
2.9
4.3

0.2
0.4
1.5
1.0

2.3
3.1
1.2
1.7

4.4
4.3
4.5
4.9

3.7
4.2
3.3
4.2

3.7
3.6
4.0
4.1

4.0
4.3
3.9
4.6

Personal cons. expenditures
Durables
Nondurables
Services

5.4
14.4
4.7
3.8

4.9
7.3
4.9
4.4

4.1
4.7
3.0
4.5

2.8
10.8
1.9
1.6

2.5
1.5
2.3
2.9

3.8
9.9
4.6
2.2

3.3
5.0
3.6
2.8

3.7
6.6
4.0
2.9

4.0
6.1
4.7
3.2

Business fixed investment
Equipment & Software
Nonres. structures
Residential structures

10.9
13.5
4.0
10.3

7.7
10.8
-0.9
3.6

7.8
7.5
8.8
-1.9

-9.6
-9.0
-11.1
1.4

-6.0
-2.2
-16.1
6.9

9.4
12.1
1.5
12.0

9.5
12.4
0.5
5.9

8.1
8.7
6.4
2.3

9.0
11.2
2.0
3.9

Exports
Imports

2.6
11.0

5.6
12.1

6.5
11.2

-11.9
-7.6

3.5
9.7

6.1
4.9

7.3
9.6

7.6
5.8

7.0
8.3

Gov’t. cons. & investment
Federal
Defense
State & local

3.3
0.1
-1.2
5.1

4.2
4.2
4.3
4.2

0.4
-2.2
-3.5
1.7

5.0
6.4
6.5
4.2

3.8
8.2
8.5
1.6

2.2
5.5
8.5
0.4

1.7
3.6
4.9
0.6

2.9
3.5
4.3
2.5

2.5
2.0
2.4
2.8

72.6
71.2
-203.8

68.9
71.5
-296.2

56.5
57.8
-379.5

-31.7
-31.8
-399.1

11.7
13.5
-472.1

-0.8
-1.1
-518.5

49.7
47.0
-583.6

28.2
25.8
-605.4

30.4
28.4
-659.6

Expenditures
____________
Nominal GDP
Real GDP

Bill. $
Bill. Ch. $

Real GDP
Gross domestic purchases
Final sales
Priv. dom. final purchases

% change

Change in bus. inventories
Nonfarm
Net exports

Bill. Ch. $

Nominal GDP
GDP Gap2

% change
%

5.7
-1.6

6.3
-2.4

4.6
-2.5

2.7
0.1

3.8
1.6

6.2
2.2

6.0
1.4

5.2
1.2

5.6
0.5

Nonfarm payroll employment
Unemployment rate

Millions
%

125.9
4.5

129.0
4.2

131.8
4.0

131.8
4.7

130.3
5.8

129.9
6.0

131.2
5.5

133.3
5.4

136.0
5.3

Industrial prod. index
Capacity util. rate - mfg.

% change
%

4.4
82.0

4.9
81.4

2.3
81.1

-5.2
75.4

1.3
73.9

1.5
73.4

4.7
76.1

4.9
78.2

4.5
80.4

Housing starts
Light motor vehicle sales
North Amer. produced
Other

Millions

1.62
15.52
13.48
2.03

1.64
16.90
14.41
2.49

1.57
17.35
14.48
2.87

1.60
17.12
14.04
3.08

1.70
16.79
13.49
3.30

1.85
16.62
13.32
3.31

1.95
16.72
13.37
3.36

1.94
17.39
13.88
3.52

1.96
17.95
14.38
3.57

Nominal GNP
Nominal GNP
Nominal personal income
Real disposable income
Personal saving rate

Bill. $
% change

8768.3
5.5
7.0
5.6
4.3

9302.2
6.5
5.5
2.8
2.4

9855.9
4.7
7.1
4.4
2.3

10171.6
2.9
2.2
1.2
1.8

10514.1
3.5
1.9
2.9
2.0

11059.2
6.5
4.6
3.9
1.4

11753.6
5.2
6.0
3.5
1.1

12321.1
5.1
5.0
3.2
1.1

12971.5
5.2
6.5
5.0
2.3

Corp. profits, IVA & CCAdj.
Profit share of GNP
Excluding FR Banks

% change
%

-10.0
9.1
8.9

9.6
9.2
8.9

-8.6
8.3
8.0

-0.2
7.5
7.3

15.4
8.3
8.1

23.3
9.2
9.1

6.2
9.8
9.7

-0.4
9.7
9.6

-0.9
9.2
9.0

Federal surpl./deficit
State & local surpl./def.
Ex. social ins. funds

Bill. $

38.8
52.0
50.3

103.6
50.4
48.7

189.5
50.0
47.9

46.7
4.8
2.2

-254.5
-25.0
-26.6

-364.5
-3.2
-4.3

-378.0
13.3
11.9

-275.1
8.0
6.4

-339.5
11.1
9.5

Gross natl. saving rate
Net natl. saving rate

%

18.2
7.4

18.0
6.9

18.0
6.7

16.3
4.2

14.1
2.0

13.5
1.4

13.6
1.7

13.6
2.0

13.8
2.2

Employment and Production
_________________________

Income and Saving
_________________

%

Prices and Costs
________________
GDP chn.-wt. price index
Gross Domestic Purchases
chn.-wt. price index
PCE chn.-wt. price index
Ex. food and energy

% change

1.1

1.6

2.2

2.4

1.6

1.7

2.2

1.4

1.6

0.7
0.9
1.4

2.0
2.1
1.6

2.4
2.3
1.5

1.6
1.7
2.2

1.8
1.8
1.5

1.8
1.7
1.2

2.8
2.5
1.5

1.3
1.2
1.5

1.3
1.3
1.4

CPI
Ex. food and energy

1.5
2.3

2.6
2.0

3.4
2.6

1.8
2.7

2.2
2.0

1.9
1.2

3.3
2.1

1.4
1.9

1.6
1.8

ECI, hourly compensation3
Nonfarm business sector
Output per hour
Compensation per Hour
Unit labor cost

3.5

3.4

4.4

4.2

3.2

4.0

4.0

4.2

4.1

2.7
5.5
2.7

3.4
5.2
1.7

2.1
6.4
4.3

3.3
3.5
0.3

3.5
2.9
-0.6

5.6
5.4
-0.2

2.5
3.6
1.0

1.9
4.2
2.3

2.5
4.2
1.7

1. Changes are from fourth quarter to fourth quarter.
2. Percent difference between potential and actual. A positive number indicates that the economy is operating below potential.
3. Private-industry workers.

I-23
Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

November 3, 2004
REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RELATED ITEMS, QUARTERLY VALUES
(Seasonally adjusted, annual rate except as noted)

Item

Units

2002
Q1

2002
Q2

2002
Q3

2002
Q4

2003
Q1

2003
Q2

2003
Q3

2003
Q4

2004
Q1

2004
Q2

10338.2
9993.5

10445.7
10052.6

10546.5
10117.3

10617.5
10135.9

10744.6
10184.4

10884.0
10287.4

11116.7
10472.8

11270.9
10580.7

11472.6
10697.5

11657.5
10784.7

3.4
4.4
0.3
0.7

2.4
2.8
1.8
1.7

2.6
2.9
2.0
2.4

0.7
2.4
0.7
1.9

1.9
1.7
2.4
2.6

4.1
4.4
5.2
5.1

7.4
6.4
6.8
7.2

4.2
4.7
3.7
4.8

4.5
5.0
3.3
4.2

3.3
4.2
2.5
3.7

1.8
-8.5
3.8
3.3

2.8
4.4
0.8
3.5

2.9
14.0
-0.6
2.4

2.5
-2.4
5.3
2.2

2.7
-0.1
5.0
2.1

3.9
20.6
1.6
1.8

5.0
16.5
6.9
1.9

3.6
3.9
5.1
2.8

4.1
2.2
6.7
3.3

1.6
-0.3
0.1
2.7

-9.7
-6.3
-18.5
9.3

-9.6
-4.5
-22.6
11.3

-1.1
4.6
-16.0
2.8

-3.2
-2.0
-6.6
4.2

-0.2
4.5
-13.0
7.5

11.8
11.0
14.5
9.1

15.7
21.7
-1.3
22.4

11.0
12.0
7.9
9.6

4.2
8.0
-7.6
5.0

12.5
14.2
6.9
16.5

4.7
12.5

11.0
11.4

3.1
5.4

-4.2
9.6

-1.5
-1.9

-1.6
2.5

11.3
2.9

17.5
17.1

7.3
10.6

7.3
12.6

4.7
8.2
5.9
2.9

4.4
12.8
11.4
0.3

2.1
2.9
3.4
1.7

4.0
9.2
13.5
1.4

0.2
0.3
-2.8
0.1

7.2
22.1
38.4
-0.5

0.1
-3.3
-7.7
2.2

1.6
4.8
11.6
-0.1

2.5
7.1
10.6
-0.0

2.2
2.7
1.9
1.9

-7.4
-11.9
-444.9

7.9
16.1
-458.1

22.7
24.6
-469.8

23.8
25.3
-515.4

9.6
9.6
-511.7

-17.6
-15.7
-525.2

-3.5
-2.7
-508.7

8.6
4.6
-528.3

40.0
34.5
-550.1

61.1
58.8
-580.3

Expenditures
____________
Nominal GDP
Real GDP

Bill. $
Bill. Ch. $

Real GDP
Gross domestic purchases
Final sales
Priv. dom. final purchases

% change

Personal cons. expenditures
Durables
Nondurables
Services
Business fixed investment
Equipment & Software
Nonres. structures
Residential structures
Exports
Imports
Gov’t. cons. & investment
Federal
Defense
State & local
Change in bus. inventories
Nonfarm
Net exports

Bill. Ch. $

Nominal GDP
GDP Gap1

% change
%

4.4
1.2

4.2
1.4

3.9
1.6

2.7
2.3

4.9
2.7

5.3
2.6

8.8
1.8

5.7
1.7

7.4
1.4

6.6
1.4

Nonfarm payroll employment
Unemployment rate

Millions
%

130.4
5.7

130.4
5.8

130.3
5.7

130.2
5.9

130.0
5.8

129.9
6.1

129.8
6.1

130.0
5.9

130.4
5.6

131.1
5.6

Industrial prod. index
Capacity util. rate - mfg.

% change
%

1.9
73.7

4.2
74.1

1.2
74.2

-1.9
73.5

0.9
73.5

-4.0
72.7

3.8
73.2

5.6
74.1

6.6
75.1

4.9
76.1

Housing starts
Light motor vehicle sales
North Amer. produced
Other

Millions

1.72
16.60
13.29
3.32

1.68
16.54
13.29
3.25

1.70
17.41
14.08
3.32

1.74
16.60
13.31
3.29

1.74
16.09
12.71
3.38

1.75
16.38
13.10
3.28

1.88
17.23
13.89
3.34

2.04
16.80
13.57
3.23

1.94
16.51
13.25
3.26

1.92
16.54
13.14
3.40

Bill. $
% change

10361.7
2.4
2.2
10.8
2.7

10461.6
3.9
4.3
2.7
2.7

10571.7
4.3
-0.1
-1.7
1.6

10661.2
3.4
1.1
0.2
1.2

10781.3
4.6
3.8
1.8
1.0

10929.0
5.6
4.7
4.3
1.1

11168.3
9.1
4.6
8.2
1.9

11358.1
7.0
5.3
1.4
1.3

11546.1
6.8
5.0
2.4
1.0

11693.6
5.2
6.0
2.4
1.2

24.8
8.1
7.9

15.2
8.3
8.1

3.6
8.3
8.1

19.1
8.6
8.4

-1.5
8.5
8.3

36.7
9.0
8.8

32.0
9.5
9.3

30.2
9.9
9.8

13.6
10.1
9.9

2.9
10.0
9.9

-208.5
-28.8
-30.8

-251.6
-23.6
-25.3

-255.1
-21.3
-22.8

-302.7
-26.3
-27.6

-281.6
-49.0
-50.1

-364.4
-5.7
-6.7

-433.0
6.5
5.4

-379.2
35.3
34.1

-391.0
11.8
10.6

-382.9
18.3
16.9

15.0
2.9

14.6
2.5

13.7
1.5

13.2
0.9

12.8
0.4

13.1
0.9

13.6
1.6

14.3
2.5

13.6
2.1

13.7
2.2

Employment and Production
_________________________

Income and Saving
_________________
Nominal GNP
Nominal GNP
Nominal personal income
Real disposable income
Personal saving rate

%

Corp. profits, IVA & CCAdj.
Profit share of GNP
Excluding FR Banks

% change
%

Federal surpl./deficit
State & local surpl./def.
Ex. social ins. funds

Bill. $

Gross natl. saving rate
Net natl. saving rate

%

Prices and Costs
________________
GDP chn.-wt. price index
Gross Domestic Purchases
chn.-wt. price index
PCE chn.-wt. price index
Ex. food and energy

% change

1.4

1.5

1.7

2.0

2.7

1.1

1.4

1.6

2.8

3.2

1.2
0.9
1.2

2.5
2.9
2.0

1.8
2.0
2.0

1.9
1.4
0.9

3.7
3.2
1.5

0.4
0.7
1.1

1.7
1.6
0.9

1.4
1.2
1.3

3.4
3.3
2.1

3.5
3.1
1.7

CPI
Ex. food and energy

1.4
2.1

3.4
2.3

2.2
2.1

2.0
1.7

3.8
1.3

0.7
1.0

2.4
1.5

0.7
0.8

3.5
1.9

4.8
2.9

ECI, hourly compensation2
Nonfarm business sector
Output per hour
Compensation per hour
Unit labor cost

3.6

4.4

2.5

3.3

5.5

3.4

4.4

3.1

4.3

4.0

6.9
5.5
-1.4

1.1
3.4
2.3

4.5
1.5
-2.9

1.6
1.2
-0.3

3.7
5.3
1.6

6.7
5.7
-1.0

9.0
6.1
-2.7

3.1
4.4
1.2

3.7
2.0
-1.6

3.8
4.9
1.0

1. Percent difference between potential and actual.
2. Private-industry workers.

A positive number indicates that the economy is operating below potential.

I-24
Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

November 3, 2004
REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RELATED ITEMS, QUARTERLY VALUES
(Seasonally adjusted, annual rate except as noted)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Projected - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2004
Q3

2004
Q4

2005
Q1

2005
Q2

2005
Q3

2005
Q4

2006
Q1

2006
Q2

2006
Q3

2006
Q4

11795.1
10875.5

11944.5
10967.6

12084.1
11051.7

12237.0
11155.8

12398.9
11263.5

12564.8
11372.7

12744.0
11482.4

12919.3
11595.9

13092.9
11708.8

13267.5
11823.2

3.4
4.0
4.0
5.2

3.4
3.5
3.3
3.7

3.1
2.9
3.4
2.9

3.8
3.4
4.5
4.5

3.9
4.0
4.1
4.6

3.9
4.2
3.8
4.5

3.9
4.5
3.6
4.6

4.0
3.9
4.3
4.6

4.0
4.3
3.9
4.6

4.0
4.5
3.7
4.6

Personal cons. expenditures
Durables
Nondurables
Services

4.6
16.8
3.9
2.7

2.9
2.1
3.7
2.8

3.3
6.9
3.8
2.3

3.8
6.5
4.0
3.1

3.8
6.5
4.1
3.1

3.9
6.6
4.2
3.1

3.9
6.2
4.5
3.1

4.0
6.4
4.7
3.1

4.0
5.7
4.8
3.2

4.0
6.2
4.8
3.2

Business fixed investment
Equipment & Software
Nonres. structures
Residential structures

11.2
15.1
-1.1
2.1

10.6
12.5
4.2
0.8

0.5
-0.8
5.2
2.9

10.7
12.2
6.1
1.9

11.5
12.5
8.4
1.9

10.1
11.4
5.8
2.3

9.3
11.1
3.4
3.8

9.0
11.3
1.6
3.9

9.0
11.2
1.7
3.9

9.0
11.3
1.5
3.9

4.5
7.9

10.4
7.4

5.6
3.6

7.8
3.6

7.9
6.9

9.0
9.4

5.8
9.4

7.0
5.5

6.9
8.0

8.2
10.4

1.0
4.5
9.3
-1.0

1.1
0.2
-1.7
1.7

4.5
8.4
10.9
2.2

2.3
2.1
2.2
2.4

2.4
2.1
2.3
2.6

2.4
1.7
2.1
2.8

2.5
1.9
2.1
2.8

2.5
2.0
2.3
2.8

2.5
2.0
2.4
2.8

2.6
2.2
2.8
2.8

46.6
46.2
-600.4

51.3
48.4
-603.6

44.4
41.4
-603.2

25.6
22.8
-596.5

19.8
18.0
-603.7

23.0
21.1
-618.2

33.5
31.4
-642.6

25.8
23.9
-646.9

27.5
25.5
-662.7

34.8
32.7
-686.1

Item

Units

EXPENDITURES
____________
Nominal GDP
Real GDP

Bill. $
Bill. Ch. $

Real GDP
Gross domestic purchases
Final sales
Priv. dom. final purchases

% change

Exports
Imports
Gov’t. cons. & investment
Federal
Defense
State & local
Change in bus. inventories
Nonfarm
Net exports

Bill. Ch. $

Nominal GDP
GDP Gap1

% change
%

4.8
1.4

5.2
1.4

4.8
1.4

5.2
1.3

5.4
1.1

5.5
0.9

5.8
0.8

5.6
0.6

5.5
0.4

5.4
0.2

Nonfarm payroll employment
Unemployment rate

Millions
%

131.5
5.5

131.8
5.5

132.3
5.5

132.9
5.4

133.6
5.4

134.4
5.4

135.0
5.4

135.7
5.3

136.4
5.2

136.9
5.1

Industrial prod. index
Capacity util. rate - mfg.

% change
%

2.9
76.5

4.6
76.8

4.7
77.3

4.8
77.9

5.0
78.5

5.0
79.2

4.6
79.7

4.4
80.2

4.4
80.6

4.6
81.2

Housing starts
Light motor vehicle sales
North Amer. produced
Other

Millions

1.97
17.06
13.80
3.27

1.98
16.78
13.28
3.50

1.93
17.10
13.60
3.50

1.94
17.29
13.78
3.51

1.94
17.49
13.97
3.52

1.95
17.69
14.15
3.54

1.96
17.82
14.28
3.54

1.96
17.94
14.38
3.56

1.96
17.96
14.38
3.58

1.97
18.08
14.48
3.60

Bill. $
% change

11824.9
4.6
2.7
1.3
0.5

11949.9
4.3
10.6
8.1
1.7

12091.5
4.8
1.6
-0.9
0.7

12236.7
4.9
6.0
4.7
1.0

12397.9
5.4
6.3
4.7
1.3

12558.3
5.3
6.2
4.6
1.5

12724.2
5.4
8.1
6.4
2.1

12891.6
5.4
6.2
4.7
2.3

13055.0
5.2
5.9
4.4
2.4

13215.2
5.0
5.8
4.3
2.5

-26.0
9.2
9.0

47.0
10.0
9.9

1.5
10.0
9.8

-2.4
9.8
9.6

-0.7
9.6
9.5

0.1
9.5
9.4

-1.1
9.4
9.2

0.6
9.3
9.1

-1.2
9.1
9.0

-1.9
9.0
8.8

-394.4
11.2
9.7

-343.5
11.8
10.2

-297.6
8.7
7.1

-277.7
5.6
4.0

-260.9
8.1
6.5

-264.5
9.5
7.9

-332.6
9.8
8.2

-337.8
9.8
8.2

-341.9
10.9
9.3

-345.6
13.8
12.2

13.5
0.9

13.4
1.8

13.4
1.8

13.5
1.9

13.7
2.1

13.7
2.2

13.7
2.1

13.8
2.3

13.8
2.3

13.8
2.3

EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTION
_________________________

INCOME AND SAVING
_________________
Nominal GNP
Nominal GNP
Nominal personal income
Real disposable income
Personal saving rate

%

Corp. profits, IVA & CCAdj.
Profit share of GNP
Excluding FR Banks

% change
%

Federal surpl./deficit
State & local surpl./def.
Ex. social ins. funds

Bill. $

Gross natl. saving rate
Net natl. saving rate

%

PRICES AND COSTS
________________
GDP chn.-wt. price index
Gross Domestic Purchases
chn.-wt. price index
PCE chn.-wt. price index
Ex. food and energy

% change

1.3

1.7

1.6

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.8
1.1
0.7

2.5
2.5
1.5

1.7
1.3
1.6

1.1
1.0
1.5

1.2
1.1
1.5

1.3
1.3
1.4

1.6
1.3
1.4

1.3
1.3
1.4

1.2
1.3
1.3

1.2
1.3
1.3

CPI
Ex. food and energy

1.9
1.6

3.2
2.3

1.6
2.0

1.1
1.9

1.3
1.9

1.5
1.8

1.5
1.8

1.6
1.8

1.5
1.7

1.6
1.7

ECI, hourly compensation2
Nonfarm business sector
Output per hour
Compensation per hour
Unit labor cost

3.5

4.0

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

1.0
3.5
2.4

1.6
3.9
2.3

1.5
4.3
2.7

2.1
4.2
2.1

1.9
4.2
2.3

2.0
4.2
2.2

2.2
4.2
2.0

2.5
4.2
1.6

2.5
4.1
1.6

2.7
4.1
1.4

1. Percent difference between potential and actual.
2. Private-industry workers.

A positive number indicates that the economy is operating below potential.

-0.4
0.3
-0.7

Net exports
Exports
Imports

0.6
0.4
0.2

0.1
0.1
0.0

0.8
0.6
0.5
0.0
0.2

-1.7
-0.4
-1.3

-0.3
-0.2
-0.2
0.2

1.7
-0.2
1.0
0.9

0.7
1.6

0.7
2.4

2002
Q4

-0.5
-0.5
0.1

0.1
0.0
-0.1
0.2
0.0

0.1
-0.2
0.3

-0.0
0.3
-0.3
0.4

1.8
-0.0
1.0
0.9

2.4
2.2

1.9
1.8

2003
Q1

-1.0
-0.9
-0.1

1.4
1.4
1.5
-0.1
-0.1

-0.5
-0.2
-0.3

1.1
0.8
0.3
0.4

2.7
1.6
0.3
0.8

5.1
4.3

4.1
4.6

2003
Q2

0.6
0.5
0.1

0.0
-0.2
-0.4
0.1
0.3

0.6
1.0
-0.4

1.5
1.5
-0.0
1.1

3.6
1.4
1.4
0.8

6.8
6.2

7.4
6.8

2003
Q3

0.5
0.3
0.2

0.3
0.3
0.5
-0.2
-0.0

-0.7
1.6
-2.2

1.1
0.9
0.2
0.5

2.5
0.3
1.0
1.2

3.7
4.1

4.2
4.9

2003
Q4

1.2
1.1
0.1

0.5
0.5
0.5
0.0
0.0

-0.8
0.7
-1.5

0.4
0.6
-0.2
0.3

2.9
0.2
1.3
1.4

3.3
3.6

4.5
5.3

2004
Q1

0.8
0.9
-0.1

0.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2

-1.1
0.7
-1.8

1.2
1.1
0.2
0.9

1.1
-0.0
0.0
1.1

2.5
3.2

3.3
4.4

2004
Q2

-0.5
-0.5
-0.1

0.2
0.3
0.4
-0.1
-0.1

-0.7
0.4
-1.2

1.1
1.1
-0.0
0.1

3.2
1.3
0.8
1.1

3.9
4.5

3.4
4.2

2004
Q3

Projected

CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROWTH IN REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RELATED ITEMS

Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

Change in bus. inventories
Nonfarm
Farm

0.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2

-0.1
0.3
-0.5
0.1

Business fixed investment
Equipment & Software
Nonres. structures
Residential structures

Government cons. & invest.
Federal
Defense
Nondefense
State and local

2.0
1.2
-0.1
1.0

2.0
2.1

2.6
3.0

2002
Q3

Personal cons. expenditures
Durables
Nondurables
Services

Final sales
Priv. dom. final purchases

Real GDP
Gross dom. purchases

Item

Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

1.1
1.0
0.0

0.7
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.2

-0.9
0.3
-1.3

-0.6
-0.2
-0.5
0.3

1.8
0.1
0.5
1.2

1.2
1.4

2.3
3.2

02Q4/
01Q4

-0.1
-0.2
0.1

0.4
0.4
0.4
-0.0
0.1

-0.1
0.6
-0.7

0.9
0.9
0.0
0.6

2.7
0.8
0.9
0.9

4.5
4.2

4.4
4.5

03Q4/
02Q4

0.4
0.4
-0.0

0.3
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.1

-0.7
0.7
-1.4

1.0
1.0
0.0
0.3

2.3
0.4
0.7
1.2

3.3
3.6

3.7
4.4

04Q4/
03Q4

Projected

November 3, 2004

I-25

-0.2
-0.3
0.0

0.8
0.6
0.5
0.1
0.3

0.0
0.6
-0.6

0.1
-0.1
0.1
0.2

2.3
0.6
0.8
0.9

3.3
2.5

3.1
3.1

2005
Q1

-0.7
-0.7
0.0

0.4
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

0.2
0.8
-0.6

1.1
0.9
0.1
0.1

2.6
0.5
0.8
1.3

4.5
3.8

3.8
3.6

2005
Q2

Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

0.2
0.1
0.1

0.2
0.0
-0.1
0.1
0.2

Government cons. & invest.
Federal
Defense
Nondefense
State and local

Change in bus. inventories
Nonfarm
Farm

-0.1
1.0
-1.1

1.1
1.0
0.1
0.0

Business fixed investment
Equipment & Software
Nonres. structures
Residential structures

Net exports
Exports
Imports

2.1
0.2
0.7
1.1

3.3
3.2

3.4
3.7

2004
Q4

-0.2
-0.2
-0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.3
0.8
-1.1

1.2
1.0
0.2
0.1

2.7
0.5
0.8
1.3

4.1
3.9

3.9
4.2

2005
Q3

0.1
0.1
0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.5
0.9
-1.4

1.0
0.9
0.1
0.1

2.7
0.5
0.9
1.3

3.8
3.9

3.9
4.4

2005
Q4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Projected

0.4
0.4
0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.8
0.6
-1.4

1.0
0.9
0.1
0.2

2.7
0.5
0.9
1.3

3.6
3.9

3.9
4.7

2006
Q1

-0.3
-0.3
0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.1
0.7
-0.9

1.0
0.9
0.0
0.2

2.8
0.5
0.9
1.3

4.3
3.9

4.0
4.2

2006
Q2

0.1
0.1
0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.5
0.7
-1.2

1.0
0.9
0.0
0.2

2.8
0.5
1.0
1.4

3.9
4.0

4.0
4.5

2006
Q3

0.2
0.2
0.0

0.5
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.8
0.8
-1.6

1.0
0.9
0.0
0.2

2.8
0.5
1.0
1.4

3.7
4.0

4.0
4.7

2006
Q4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROWTH IN REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RELATED ITEMS

Personal cons. expenditures
Durables
Nondurables
Services

Final sales
Priv. dom. final purchases

Real GDP
Gross dom. purchases

Item

Strictly Confidential <FR>
Class II FOMC

0.4
0.4
-0.0

0.3
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.1

-0.7
0.7
-1.4

1.0
1.0
0.0
0.3

2.3
0.4
0.7
1.2

3.3
3.6

3.7
4.4

04Q4/
03Q4

-0.3
-0.2
-0.0

0.5
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.3

-0.1
0.8
-0.9

0.8
0.7
0.2
0.1

2.6
0.6
0.8
1.2

3.9
3.5

3.7
3.8

05Q4/
04Q4

0.1
0.1
0.0

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.3

-0.6
0.7
-1.3

1.0
0.9
0.1
0.2

2.8
0.5
0.9
1.3

3.9
4.0

4.0
4.5

06Q4/
05Q4

- - - - Projected - - - - -

November 3, 2004

I-26

-346
0.5
0.9

-271
1.2
1.0

0.1

-0.8

-265

-308

0.2

0.3

-310

-333

0.2

0.2

-354

-402

0.1

-0.1

-349

-394

1946
2329
700
474
227
1629
-383
104

45

41
-23
8

550
576
-26
-99
73

0.1

0.1

-360

-405

1944
2338
713
487
227
1625
-394
104

36

83
8
-6

480
565
-86
-96
10

Q3

0.1

-0.5

-309

-355

2026
2370
716
486
230
1654
-344
106

25

145
11
-0

453
609
-156
-196
40

Q4

11

137
14
24

440
615
-175
-210
34

Q1

2005
Q3

60

41
-49
-9

624
606
18
-59
77

45

101
15
-17

509
608
-99
-112
13

Q4

30

93
15
5

515
628
-113
-156
43

Not seasonally adjusted

Q2

-0.2

-0.4

-265

-312

0.0

-0.2

-249

-292

2174
2452
747
510
237
1705
-278
110

0.0

-0.1

-237

-275

2220
2480
753
514
239
1728
-261
112

0.0

0.1

-247

-279

2247
2512
758
518
240
1754
-264
112

0.1

0.6

-320

-347

2287
2619
775
530
245
1845
-333
113

30

193
0
0

475
668
-193
-233
40

Q1

0.1

0.1

-332

-352

2302
2640
780
534
246
1859
-338
115

60

18
-30
-4

667
651
16
-69
85

Q2

45

95
15
-8

539
641
-102
-118
16

Q3

0.1

0.0

-342

-356

2323
2665
786
539
247
1879
-342
116

2006

0.0

0.0

-353

-360

2348
2693
793
545
248
1900
-346
117

30

129
15
-0

528
673
-144
-192
48

Q4

November 3, 2004

1. OMB’s July 2004 baseline surplus estimates are -$444 billion in FY 2004, -$292 billion in FY 2005, and -$234 billion in FY 2006, and surplus estimates under enactment of its proposed policies are
-$445 billion, -$331 billion, and -$261 billion respectively. CBO’s September 2004 baseline surplus estimates are -$422 billion in FY 2004, -$348 billion in FY 2005 and -$298 billion in FY 2006. Budget
receipts, outlays, and surplus/deficit include corresponding social security (OASDI) categories. The OASDI surplus and the Postal Service surplus are excluded from the on-budget surplus and shown
separately as off-budget, as classified under current law.
2. Other means of financing are checks issued less checks paid, accrued items, and changes in other financial assets and liabilities.
3. Gross saving is the current account surplus plus consumption of fixed capital of the general government as well as government enterprises.
4. HEB is gross saving less gross investment (NIPA) of the federal government in current dollars, with cyclically sensitive receipts and outlays adjusted to the staff’s measure of potential output and the
NAIRU. Quarterly figures for change in HEB and FI are not at annual rates. The sign on Change in HEB, as a percent of nominal potential GDP, is reversed. FI is the weighted difference of discretionary
changes in federal spending and taxes in chained (2000) dollars, scaled by real GDP. The annual FI estimates are on a calendar year basis. Also, for FI and the change in HEB, positive values indicate
aggregate demand stimulus.
a--Actual

Fiscal indicators4
High-employment (HEB)
surplus/deficit
Change in HEB, percent
of potential GDP
Fiscal impetus (FI)
percent of GDP

-396

-347

1915
2306
691
465
226
1615
-391
102

21

136
12
23

410
580
-171
-193
23

2004
Q2a

Seasonally adjusted annual rates
2290
2609
775
530
244
1834
-319
114

45

399
0
-7

2196
2588
-392
-576
184

Q1a

2138
2436
742
506
236
1694
-298
109

1927
2313
694
469
225
1619
-387
102

1863
2209
646
425
221
1563
-345
92

2140
2434
739
504
235
1695
-295
109

45

423
-9
-2

2025
2437
-412
-577
165

2006

Receipts
Expenditures
Consumption expenditures
Defense
Nondefense
Other spending
Current account surplus
Gross investment
Gross saving less gross
investment3

36

379
-1
35

1880
2292
-413
-568
155

2005

Fiscal year
2004a

Staff Projections of Federal Sector Accounts and Related Items
(Billions of dollars except as noted)

NIPA federal sector

35

374
26
-22

Means of financing
Borrowing
Cash decrease
Other2

Cash operating balance,
end of period

1782
2159
-377
-538
161

2003a

Unified budget
Receipts1
Outlays1
Surplus/deficit1
On-budget
Off-budget

Item

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-27

10.9
10.0
8.4
9.0

8.1
8.1
6.9
6.9

9.1
7.7
7.0
7.5
7.3
7.2
6.3
6.2
7.9
6.5
6.0
6.6

2003
2004
2005
2006

Quarter
2004:1
2
3
4
2005:1
2
3
4
2006:1
2
3
4

8.5
7.0
7.5
6.7
6.4
6.6
6.4
6.3
6.3
6.3
6.3
6.2

7.5
7.6
6.6
6.4

8.8
8.4
7.7
6.7

Total

11.3
9.5
8.4
7.9
7.6
7.3
7.0
6.9
6.8
6.7
6.7
6.6

10.2
9.6
7.4
6.9

8.1
8.7
9.0
9.6

Total

13.1
11.1
9.7
8.9
8.4
8.1
7.7
7.6
7.4
7.4
7.3
7.2

12.7
11.1
8.2
7.5

9.1
8.3
9.8
11.9

Home
mortgages

Households

6.1
2.2
4.9
5.4
5.5
5.2
5.3
5.2
5.3
5.2
5.0
4.9

4.3
4.7
5.4
5.2

7.4
10.7
8.0
4.1

Consumer
credit

Nonfederal

Change in Debt of the Domestic Nonfinancial Sectors
(Percent)

4.8
4.4
5.2
6.0
5.3
6.1
6.1
6.0
6.3
6.3
6.3
6.4

4.3
5.2
6.0
6.5

10.6
9.4
6.1
2.8

Business

9.5
4.6
12.3
2.4
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.1
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.5

8.2
7.4
4.4
3.8

3.4
1.3
8.9
11.1

State and local
governments

7.4
6.6
4.8
5.2
4.8
5.2
5.4
5.5
5.8
5.6
5.5
5.4

6.2
6.0
5.2
5.6

6.3
4.6
2.7
3.8

Memo:
Nominal
GDP

November 3, 2004

2.6.3 FOF

Note. Quarterly data are at seasonally adjusted annual rates.
1. Data after 2004:Q2 are staff projections. Changes are measured from end of the preceding period to end of period indicated except for annual nominal GDP growth, which
is calculated from Q4 to Q4.

12.0
10.7
4.9
11.2
11.0
9.7
6.0
5.8
14.8
7.1
5.0
8.2

-1.9
-8.0
-0.2
7.6

6.3
4.9
6.2
6.9

Total

Federal
government

Year
1999
2000
2001
2002

Period 1

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-28

-18.7
-57.8
302.5
856.6
756.1
83.0
108.0
117.8
176.2
396.0
396.0
396.2
476.4
194.6
15.2
3.6
11.6

Borrowing sectors
Nonfinancial business
4 Financing gap 1
5 Net equity issuance
6 Credit market borrowing

Households
7 Net borrowing 2
8
Home mortgages
9
Consumer credit
10 Debt/DPI (percent) 3

State and local governments
11 Net borrowing
12 Current surplus 4

Federal government
13 Net borrowing
14 Net borrowing (n.s.a.)
15 Unified deficit (n.s.a.)

Depository institutions
16 Funds supplied

Memo (percentage of GDP)
17 Domestic nonfinancial debt 5
18 Domestic nonfinancial borrowing
19
Federal government 6
20
Nonfederal
197.7
15.3
3.5
11.9

649.3

404.4
404.4
438.0

115.6
174.9

889.1
744.8
95.9
112.7

42.4
-175.2
387.0

1620.9
-175.2
1796.1

2004

202.1
13.5
3.0
10.5

560.3

371.6
371.6
369.6

73.8
169.6

750.1
609.0
114.8
116.5

8.1
-168.0
470.1

1497.6
-168.0
1665.6

2005

204.7
13.7
3.3
10.4

572.8

435.2
435.2
423.2

65.8
178.3

747.8
605.5
116.1
117.3

187.9
-71.0
534.9

1712.6
-71.0
1783.6

2006

2.6.4 FOF

199.7
14.8
4.0
10.8

443.8

481.9
144.5
155.6

40.7
170.1

784.5
645.2
112.1
113.8

177.2
-302.0
460.5

1465.6
-302.0
1767.6

Q4

201.0
14.5
4.0
10.4

645.9

487.1
136.6
175.2

74.8
168.3

769.6
626.5
116.1
115.9

-20.3
-208.0
415.8

1539.2
-208.0
1747.2

Q1

202.0
14.4
3.6
10.7

495.7

444.3
40.5
-17.5

74.8
166.5

751.0
612.5
111.8
116.4

-9.1
-174.0
486.2

1582.2
-174.0
1756.2

Q2

Q3

202.8
12.7
2.3
10.5

584.9

279.2
101.4
99.0

74.8
170.5

739.6
598.5
115.4
116.8

20.9
-153.0
486.4

1427.0
-153.0
1580.0

2005

203.2
12.6
2.2
10.4

514.9

276.0
93.1
113.0

70.8
173.2

740.0
598.5
115.7
117.1

40.9
-137.0
492.2

1442.0
-137.0
1579.0

Q4

203.9
16.0
5.6
10.4

659.6

711.5
192.7
193.2

66.8
174.9

741.9
598.5
117.4
116.9

175.4
-71.0
518.1

1967.3
-71.0
2038.3

Q1

204.8
13.1
2.7
10.4

516.6

353.3
17.8
-16.2

66.8
176.4

747.2
603.1
117.9
117.2

171.6
-71.0
530.0

1626.3
-71.0
1697.3

Q2

Q3

205.2
12.3
1.9
10.3

602.8

254.8
95.3
101.9

66.8
178.8

749.1
607.8
115.1
117.5

189.8
-71.0
538.8

1538.5
-71.0
1609.5

2006

205.7
13.5
3.2
10.3

512.2

421.0
129.3
144.2

62.8
183.2

752.8
612.5
113.9
117.8

214.9
-71.0
552.5

1718.1
-71.0
1789.1

Q4

November 3, 2004

4. NIPA state and local government saving plus consumption of fixed capital and net capital transfers.
5. Average debt levels in the period (computed as the average of period-end debt positions) divided by nominal GDP.
6. Excludes government-insured mortgage pool securities.
n.s.a. Not seasonally adjusted.

198.6
13.8
1.8
12.0

280.9

207.0
83.4
85.9

199.0
168.2

821.5
692.0
102.1
114.4

-6.0
-156.8
397.9

1468.6
-156.8
1625.4

Q3

2004

Flow of Funds Projections: Highlights
(Billions of dollars at seasonally adjusted annual rates except as noted)

Note. Data after 2004:Q2 are staff projections.
1. For corporations: Excess of capital expenditures over U.S. internal funds.
2. Includes change in liabilities not shown in lines 8 and 9.
3. Average debt levels in the period (computed as the average of period-end debt positions)
divided by disposable personal income.

1615.2
-57.8
1672.9

2003

Net funds raised by domestic
nonfinancial sectors
1 Total
2 Net equity issuance
3 Net debt issuance

Category

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-29

(This page intentionally blank.)

International Developments
Recent data suggest that foreign output decelerated a bit more in the third quarter than we
had previously expected, although growth remains solid. Over the intermeeting period,
oil prices have risen, and the exchange value of the dollar has declined. These
developments contribute to a slight downward revision to our projection of foreign
growth in the current quarter and in the next two years. Having reached 4¼ percent in
the first half of the year, foreign growth is projected to average around 3¼ percent at an
annual rate over the forecast period.
Europe, Japan, and emerging Asia have generally reported weaker indicators recently,
and the effects of higher oil prices and a lower dollar are expected to be negative for
those regions. Notwithstanding some benefits from higher oil prices, growth in Mexico
and Canada is projected to moderate because of a slowing in U.S. manufacturing growth,
monetary tightening by their respective central banks, and, in the case of Canada,
currency appreciation. Chinese GDP growth was surprisingly strong in the third quarter,
but other indicators have weakened, and we expect growth there to moderate as
investment cools. High energy prices have contributed to increased foreign headline
inflation this year, but to date we have seen little spillover to core consumer prices. We
continue to expect that headline inflation will ease in coming quarters as oil prices
decline, some currencies appreciate, and excess capacity persists in many countries.
Summary of Staff Projections
(Percent change from end of previous period, s.a.a.r.)
Indicator

2003

Projection

2004

2004

H1

Q3

Q4

2005

2006

Foreign output
Previous GB

2.8
2.8

4.2
4.2

3.2
3.6

3.4
3.5

3.3
3.4

3.2
3.3

Foreign CPI
Previous GB

2.1
2.1

2.8
2.8

2.9
3.1

3.1
2.5

2.3
2.2

2.2
2.1

NOTE. Changes for years are measured as Q4/Q4; for half-years, Q2/Q4 or
Q4/Q2.

The exchange value of the dollar against the major currencies has declined about
4½ percent since the September FOMC meeting in response to weaker-than-expected
U.S. economic data and renewed market concerns over the financing burden of the U.S.
current account deficit. The path projected for the broad real dollar index has been

I-32

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

marked down just over 2 percent from the September Greenbook forecast, again
incorporating depreciation at an annual rate of 1½ percent over the next two years.
We estimate that real net exports subtracted about ¾ percentage point from U.S. GDP
growth in the third quarter, as imports continued to outpace exports. The negative
contribution of net exports is projected to abate to near zero in the fourth quarter, in part
reflecting the decline in the dollar, and to turn slightly positive in the first half of 2005 as
import growth is temporarily held down by the expiration of partial-expensing provisions
for capital goods. The net export contribution is projected to turn negative again in the
second half of 2005 and net exports are projected to subtract a bit more than
½ percentage point from GDP in 2006, as the waning of the effects of previous dollar
depreciation results in both an increase in U.S. import demand and a step-down in the
growth of real exports. Import growth in 2006 is also supported by a firming in U.S.
growth.
The U.S. current account deficit is estimated to have reached $690 billion in the third
quarter and is projected to increase to near $770 billion, or about 6½ percent of GDP, in
the current quarter. After widening marginally during 2005, the current account deficit is
projected to expand rapidly the following year and to reach nearly $900 billion by the
fourth quarter of 2006, a record 6¾ percent of GDP. The path of the current account
balance is more negative going forward than that in the September Greenbook, owing to
the effect of higher oil prices.
Oil Prices
The spot price of West Texas intermediate (WTI) crude oil surged to a record nominal
high of $55.23 on October 25. Since then, it has backed off to about $50 per barrel but
remains roughly $6 per barrel higher than in mid-September. The run-up in the spot price
of WTI over the intermeeting period resulted in large part from Hurricane Ivan’s impact
on oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, which caused extensive damage to supply
pipelines and other infrastructure. The production outage led to a notable decline in oil
inventories and raised concerns about the adequacy of heating oil supplies during the
winter. With lean inventories, strong global demand, ongoing threats to supply in several
countries, and limited capacity for OPEC to increase production, the price of WTI
remains high and very volatile.
Notably, the recent rise in the price of WTI and other types of light, low-sulfur (sweet)
crude has been much larger than that for heavier, more sulfurous (sour) crudes, such as

International Developments

I-33

Dubai. The premium that WTI fetches over Dubai has historically run around $3 per
barrel. In recent weeks, that premium skyrocketed to as high as $18 per barrel, reflecting
limited capacity in the short run for refiners to process the lower grades of oil, increased
supply of sour crude from the Middle East and, importantly, Hurricane Ivan’s curtailment
of predominantly sweet crude production in the Gulf of Mexico.
Our projection for the spot price of WTI, which remains in line with quotes from futures
markets, stands at about $51 per barrel in the current quarter and gradually declines to
less than $43 by the end of 2006. Compared with the September Greenbook, this
projection is about $7.50 per barrel higher in the near term and $6.50 higher at the end of
2006. As the price of WTI has increased more than other types of oil, we have made
smaller, though still sizable, upward revisions to our projection for the average price of
imported oil. We project the price of imported oil to average just over $41 per barrel in
the current quarter and to ease to $39 by the end of 2006; this projection is about $3.50
per barrel higher in 2005 and about $5 higher in 2006 than in the previous forecast. The
steeper decline in the price of WTI relative to the import price reflects our assumption
that the unusually large spread between the two will narrow as production is restored in
the Gulf of Mexico and as capacity to refine the lower grades of crude oil increases.
International Financial Markets
The trade-weighted exchange value of the dollar, as measured by the staff’s major
currencies index, declined 4½ percent on net over the intermeeting period. Several
weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data releases, including the September employment
report, weighed on the dollar. In addition, renewed concerns over the financing
requirements of the U.S. current account deficit gained prominence following the releases
in mid-October of August trade data, which showed a larger-than-expected deficit, and of
August Treasury International Capital data, which showed a decline from the previous
month in private net foreign purchases of U.S. securities. Market analysts noted
comments by several Federal Reserve officials on the implications of the current account
deficit for the market value of the dollar. On a bilateral basis, the dollar depreciated
against all the currencies in the major currencies index. The dollar’s sharpest declines,
about 6 percent, were against the Canadian and Australian dollars, which may have
benefited from the recent strength of oil and other commodity prices.
The movement of the dollar against emerging-market currencies over the intermeeting
period was more moderate, and on a trade-weighted basis, the dollar declined only about

I-34

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

½ percent versus the currencies of our other important trading partners. The dollar fell
between 1 and 3 percent versus the Korean won, Taiwan dollar, and Singapore dollar.
Taking into account developments since the last Greenbook, we have marked down the
starting point for the path of the broad real dollar a bit more than 2 percent. We have left
essentially unchanged the annual rate of dollar depreciation through 2006, at about
1½ percent. The ongoing need to finance the widening current account deficit is
expected to exert downward pressure on the dollar in the future, although the exact
timing and extent of such adjustments are obviously quite uncertain.
Short-term interest rates were little changed in the euro area, the United Kingdom, and
Japan over the period. Canadian short-term interest rates increased about 20 basis points;
the Bank of Canada raised its key policy rate 25 basis points to 2.50 percent on
October 19. European ten-year sovereign yields declined 10 basis points over the period,
reflecting expectations of a reduced pace of future monetary tightening, while Japanese
benchmark yields rose slightly. Equity prices rose slightly, on balance, in European
markets over the period, but Japanese stock prices declined moderately.
In emerging markets, the People’s Bank of China increased bank deposit and lending
rates about ¼ percentage point on October 28, its first such move in about a decade.
There was little reaction to the announcement in offshore forward exchange rates for the
renminbi; market analysts were split as to whether the PBOC’s move increased or
decreased the likelihood of a change in China’s exchange rate regime in the near future.
Equity prices declined in several emerging Asian economies, reportedly in part on
concerns about prospects for semiconductor sales, but rose in Latin America over the
period. Emerging market bond spreads were little changed.

. The Desk did not intervene for the accounts of
the System or the Treasury.
Foreign Industrial Countries
We estimate that real GDP growth in the foreign industrial countries dropped from an
annual rate of 3 percent in the second quarter to slightly below 2½ percent in the third
quarter, with the pace of activity having declined in all major advanced economies. The
annual rate of expansion should remain near 2½ percent over the remainder of the
forecast period, as growth in Japan and the euro area picks up to near its potential rate,

International Developments

I-35

whereas Canadian growth slows further from robust growth in the first half of this year.
We expect that twelve-month headline inflation rates in the foreign industrial countries
will tick up in the current and next quarters, and inch down subsequently.
For Japan’s economy, weaker-than-expected data on exports, machinery orders,
household spending, and the all-industries index suggest that third-quarter growth slowed
to an annual rate of around ½ percent. Notwithstanding the negative effect of elevated oil
prices and prospects for slowing growth in Japanese exports, we project that continued
gradual strengthening in Japan’s labor market will help growth to regain its footing by the
beginning of next year. Growth is projected to average about 1¾ percent thereafter, a
slower pace than in the September Greenbook. Deflation has proved to be stubborn, but
we expect twelve-month CPI inflation to turn positive at the end of next year. We have
penciled in a slight rise in policy rates in 2006, when we assume the BOJ will begin
exiting from quantitative easing.
Weaker consumption data in most of the major euro-area nations, as well as softer
industrial production and merchandise trade data, led us to estimate that euro-area GDP
growth faltered to around 1¼ percent in the third quarter. Going forward, private
consumption and investment are projected to gradually revive, and growth in GDP should
firm to around 1¾ percent (near its potential rate) in 2005 and 2006. We forecast that
twelve-month inflation, boosted by higher oil and administered prices, will remain at or
above 2 percent for most of 2005, marking the sixth consecutive year that inflation has
remained above the ECB's ceiling. The ECB is assumed to begin tightening policy in
mid-2005.
The preliminary estimate of third-quarter real GDP in the United Kingdom confirmed a
sharp slowdown in output growth to 1½ percent, as rising interest rates and a deceleration
of house prices have weighed on domestic spending. Growth is projected to recover to
2½ percent through 2005 and to remain near there in 2006. We assume that the Bank of
England will tighten monetary policy a further 25 basis points early next year and then
keep policy on hold through the end of 2006. This should be sufficient to prevent
inflation from moving above the 2 percent target rate.
After an especially strong second quarter, we estimate that GDP growth in Canada
slowed to about 3¾ percent in the third quarter as exports fell following double-digit
growth in the second quarter. We expect a gradual further deceleration of real GDP
growth to around 3 percent by 2006. In October, the Bank of Canada raised its key

I-36

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

policy rate. Despite the recent run-up in the Canadian dollar, we assume a further 200
basis points of tightening over the forecast horizon, consistent with keeping core inflation
around the 2 percent midpoint of the Bank’s inflation target range.
Other Economies
We estimate that output growth in the developing economies slowed from nearly
5 percent in the second quarter to just below 4½ percent in the third quarter and will
generally maintain that pace through the end of the forecast period. This forecast is a
touch weaker than in the previous Greenbook as downward revisions to our outlook for
Asia more than outweighed expected improvements in the oil-producing countries,
including Mexico.
In emerging Asia, we estimate that growth stepped down a bit in the third quarter.
Although growth rose to an annual rate of 10 percent in China, indicators from elsewhere
in the region showed some weakness. In Singapore, real GDP declined in the third
quarter, following expansion of nearly 12 percent in the first half. In addition, industrial
production data have softened recently in other ASEAN countries and in Taiwan. We
expect that growth in emerging Asia will average 4½ percent during 2005 and 2006; this
projection is a bit weaker than that in the September Greenbook, largely because of the
higher path of oil prices and the slightly weaker outlook for industrial countries.
In Latin America, growth in Mexican industrial production and manufactured exports has
recently slowed from their rapid first-half pace, suggesting that a moderation in the
growth of U.S. manufacturing is beginning to show through to Mexico. That weakness is
partly offset by the positive impact of higher oil prices on Mexican government spending.
We project a moderate slowing of Mexican growth in the current quarter and in the first
half of next year, followed by a mild increase thereafter. In Brazil, where third-quarter
growth fell to an estimated 4 percent from exceptionally high rates earlier this year, we
expect high real interest rates to contribute to a further deceleration of growth to
3 percent in 2005 and 2006.
Recent increases in oil prices have led us to raise our projection for inflation in the
developing economies by about ¼ percentage point throughout the forecast horizon. We
now expect average inflation in the developing economies to remain around 4½ percent
through the first quarter of next year before slowing to 3 percent by the end of 2006.

I-37

International Developments

Prices of Internationally Traded Goods
For the third quarter, prices of imported core goods rose at an annual rate of 2¼ percent,
down from the 5¼ percent pace in the first half of the year as prices of non-oil industrial
supplies decelerated. For the fourth quarter, we project core import price inflation to pick
up to 5 percent as some continued effects of the earlier rise in primary commodity prices
are augmented by the recent fall in the dollar and pickup in natural gas prices.
With subdued foreign inflation, little change in commodity prices (as embodied in futures
prices), and only a modest further depreciation of the dollar, core import price inflation is
expected to be about 1 percent in 2005 and nearly zero in 2006. Another factor that will
hold down import prices is the expiration of the Multifiber Arrangement at the end of this
year, which is expected to lead to a substantial fall in imported apparel prices, reducing
core import price inflation more than ½ percentage point in both 2005 and 2006.
Having reached almost 7 percent in the first half of 2004, the inflation rate for exported
core goods in the third quarter was only 2¼ percent, held down by falling prices for
agricultural goods. In the fourth quarter, core export prices are expected to rise about
3 percent, as higher prices for intermediate materials more than offset continued
weakness in agricultural prices. In 2005 and 2006, core export price inflation is projected
to be in line with domestic price inflation.
Staff Projections of Selected Trade Prices
(Percent change from end of previous period excepted as noted; s.a.a.r.)
Trade category

Exports
Core goods
Imports
Non-oil core goods
Oil (dollars per barrel)

2003

Projection

2004
2004

2005

2006

3.0

1.5

2.1

5.1
41.28

.9
39.80

.1
38.94

H1

Q3

Q4

3.4

6.9

2.2

1.8
27.74

5.2
34.55

2.3
37.46

NOTE. Prices for core exports and non-oil core imports, which exclude
computers and semiconductors, are on a NIPA chain-weighted basis.
The price of imported oil for multiquarter periods is the price for the final
quarter of the period.

I-38

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

Trade in Goods and Services
Nominal imports of goods and services rebounded in August from a weak level in July,
reflecting higher prices for imported oil and a one-off surge in services imports due to
payments for broadcast rights for the 2004 Summer Olympics. For the third quarter as a
whole, we estimate that real imports of goods and services rose nearly 8 percent (a.r.),
well below the rapid first-half pace as core imports slowed abruptly. In the fourth
quarter, growth of real imports should edge down to 7½ percent. This growth rate is
about 2 percentage points lower than in our September Greenbook forecast, reflecting the
downward revision to U.S. GDP growth and the lower level of the dollar.
After topping 9 percent for 2004 as a whole, growth of real imports of goods and services
is expected to slow to 5¾ percent in 2005 before picking up to 8¼ percent in 2006.
Importantly influencing the contour of the forecast is the effect of the partial-expensing
provisions on imports of capital goods; this boosts imports in the second half of this year
and creates a drag in 2005 after its expiration at end-2004. Import growth rebounds in
2006 as this drag is no longer present. The pickup in import growth in 2006 also reflects
an acceleration of U.S. GDP, as well as a continuing decline in import price inflation.
Our projection for import growth, particularly in 2005, is lower than it was in the
September Greenbook, as higher core import prices, partly from the weaker dollar, and
the downward revision to U.S. GDP reduce projected core imports.
Although nominal exports of goods and services rebounded in July from a weak level in
June, they were little changed in August. As a result, we estimate that growth in real
exports of goods and services slowed to 4½ percent (a.r.) in the third quarter from
7¼ percent in the first half. The write-down for the third quarter from the September
Greenbook (when we had penciled in 8½ percent growth) stems from weaker incoming
data for a number of components, particularly semiconductors, computers, and services.
In the fourth quarter, we project that export growth will rebound to about 10½ percent,
with the pickup broadly based. Exports of semiconductors and services are expected to
bounce back from their weak third-quarter pace, while core exports are supported by a
projected rise in foreign GDP growth and a weaker dollar.
We expect export growth in 2005 of about 7½ percent, a little higher than the average
pace in 2004. Growth in exports of semiconductors, computers, and services rises, but
core exports grow more slowly, partly because of expected deceleration of foreign GDP.
In addition, the after-effects of the expiration of partial expensing provisions (at the end
of 2004) slow exports of core goods, computers, and semiconductors that are used abroad

I-39

International Developments

as intermediate goods in the production of capital goods that are in turn exported to the
United States. In 2006, export growth edges down to 7 percent, reflecting a lessening of
the boost to core exports and services resulting from dollar depreciation, as well as the
slight waning of growth in foreign GDP. Export growth in both 2005 and 2006 is a touch
higher than forecast in the September Greenbook, with a weaker path for the dollar
boosting exports of services and core goods.
Summary of Staff Projections
for Trade in Goods and Services
(Percent change from end of previous period, s.a.a.r.)
Measure

2003

Projection

2004

2004

H1

Q3

Q4

2005

2006

Real exports
Previous GB

6.1
6.1

7.3
7.3

4.5
8.6

10.4
10.6

7.6
7.2

7.0
6.4

Real imports
Previous GB

4.9
4.9

11.6
11.6

7.9
5.9

7.4
9.7

5.8
6.8

8.3
8.6

NOTE. Changes for years are measured as Q4/Q4; for half-years, Q2/Q4 or
Q4/Q2.

Alternative Simulations
We project that activity in our trading partners will continue to show solid growth over
the forecast period. However, foreign growth may be less robust than expected. In our
first alternative simulation, we used the FRB/Global model to assess the effects of an
autonomous fall in foreign demand that would reduce spending 1 percent of GDP in all
major foreign industrial economies in the absence of endogenous adjustment. The shock
begins in the first quarter of 2005 and is phased in gradually over four quarters. The
shock reduces U.S. real net exports directly through lower foreign demand for U.S.produced goods and indirectly through a modest dollar appreciation that induces
substitution away from U.S.-produced goods. As a result, U.S. GDP growth declines
0.3 percentage point relative to baseline in 2005 and about 0.2 percentage point in 2006.
Core PCE inflation falls slightly below baseline because of both a decline in import
prices associated with the dollar appreciation and the effects of weaker aggregate demand
on domestic prices.
In our second alternative scenario, we considered the effects of a rise in oil prices of $20
per barrel relative to our baseline path. The shock begins in the first quarter of 2005, and

I-40

Part I: Summary and Outlook, November 3, 2004

we assume that households and firms believe the shock is permanent. We used the
perfect foresight version of the FRB/US model to implement this simulation because it is
better suited to capturing how a permanent oil shock affects expectations of future real
income and the marginal return to investment. The oil shock weakens real GDP growth
about ½ percentage point in 2005, as consumer spending falls in response to the reduction
in permanent income and as firms reduce investment because of the lower expected
return. The oil price shock puts upward pressure on production costs and prices, causing
the core PCE inflation rate to rise roughly 0.3 percentage point above baseline in 2005
and 2006.
Alternative Simulations:
Weaker Foreign Demand and Higher Oil Prices
(Percent change from previous period, annual rate)
2004

Indicator and simulation

2005

2006

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

U.S. real GDP
Baseline
Weaker Foreign Demand
Higher Oil Prices

3.9
3.9
3.9

3.4
3.4
3.4

3.5
3.1
3.0

3.9
3.7
3.5

4.0
3.8
3.8

4.0
3.9
4.0

U.S. PCE prices
excluding food and energy
Baseline
Weaker Foreign Demand
Higher Oil Prices

1.9
1.9
1.9

1.1
1.1
1.1

1.5
1.5
1.8

1.4
1.3
1.7

1.4
1.3
1.8

1.3
1.2
1.5

Note. H1 is Q2/Q4; H2 is Q4/Q2. In the “Weaker foreign demand” simulation, the
nominal federal funds rate remains unchanged from baseline. In the “Higher Oil Prices”
simulation, the real federal funds rate is unchanged from baseline over the simulation
horizon (and then adjusts according to a Taylor rule).

-0.3
-2.2
-5.4
9.8
1.2
2.9
-1.6

Developing Countries
Asia
Korea
China
Latin America
Mexico
Brazil

1.1
2.4
-1.1
1.2
1.5
1.1

0.9
1.1
0.7
1.4
0.8
0.3

3.1
-1.2
1.0
2.5
1.7

1.7

5.3
5.9
4.5
7.6
4.4
4.8
3.8

4.1
3.9
3.0
2.6
1.9

3.6

4.3

1.1
-1.3
1.0
2.1
1.5

0.9

-0.3
0.9
4.7
6.9
-1.3
-1.2
-0.8

1.4
-2.2
2.2
0.8
0.5

0.7

0.3

3.9
-0.5
1.6
2.3
1.2

2.1

3.4
5.8
7.7
8.3
1.4
1.9
3.8

3.8
1.8
1.9
1.1
0.5

2.7

3.0

1.7
-0.4
1.3
2.0
1.2

1.3

4.2
6.0
4.1
10.0
2.2
2.0
-0.1

1.7
3.5
2.9
0.7
0.0

1.9

2.8

2.5
-0.2
1.2
2.2
2.0

1.6

5.1
5.4
2.9
8.7
4.8
4.8
5.2

3.6
2.4
2.6
1.9
1.4

2.9

3.7

1.8
0.1
1.6
1.8
1.1

1.4

4.3
4.6
4.0
7.0
4.0
4.1
3.0

3.3
1.7
2.4
1.8
1.3

2.6

3.3

2.0
0.3
2.0
1.7
0.7

1.5

4.4
4.6
4.4
7.5
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.1
1.8
2.2
1.8
1.4

2.5

3.2

1.
2.
3.
4.

Foreign GDP aggregates calculated using shares of U.S. exports.
Harmonized data for euro area from Eurostat.
Foreign CPI aggregates calculated using shares of U.S. non-oil imports.
CPI excluding mortgage interest payments, which is the targeted inflation rate.

Developing Countries
9.0
4.6
4.1
2.8
2.9
3.0
4.4
3.5
3.1
Asia
4.4
0.1
1.8
1.1
0.6
2.1
4.0
2.8
2.4
Korea
5.8
1.2
2.6
3.4
3.4
3.5
3.8
4.4
3.3
China
-1.2
-1.0
0.9
-0.1
-0.6
2.6
4.7
2.2
1.9
Latin America
15.4
12.5
8.4
5.3
6.4
4.9
5.3
4.4
4.2
Mexico
17.3
13.5
8.7
5.1
5.3
3.9
5.0
4.0
3.8
Brazil
2.0
8.4
6.4
7.5
10.7
11.5
7.1
6.0
5.6
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Industrial Countries
of which:
Canada
Japan
United Kingdom (4)
Euro Area (2)
Germany

CONSUMER PRICES (3)
-------------------

5.9
0.4
3.3
3.9
3.3

4.4
-1.2
2.8
2.0
0.7
6.1
8.6
11.4
7.0
4.2
5.4
3.4

4.4

5.0

2.7

1.5

Industrial Countries
of which:
Canada
Japan
United Kingdom
Euro Area (2)
Germany

REAL GDP (1)
-----------Total foreign

Measure and country
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

-----Projected----

Strictly Confidential (FR)
November 3, 2004
Class II FOMC
OUTLOOK FOR FOREIGN REAL GDP AND CONSUMER PRICES: SELECTED COUNTRIES
(Percent, Q4 to Q4)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

I-41

6.4
7.6
3.0
14.4
5.7
5.5
7.2

Developing Countries
Asia
Korea
China
Latin America
Mexico
Brazil

4.7
5.1
3.8
8.0
4.2
4.3
3.5

3.5
1.4
2.4
1.5
1.0

2.6

3.4

4.2
4.6
3.8
7.0
3.7
3.8
3.0

3.4
1.5
2.4
1.7
1.1

2.6

3.2

4.3
4.6
4.0
7.0
3.9
4.0
3.0

3.2
1.7
2.5
1.8
1.3

2.6

3.3

4.4
4.5
4.0
7.0
4.1
4.3
3.0

3.3
1.7
2.4
1.8
1.3

2.6

3.3

4.4
4.5
4.3
7.0
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.3
1.7
2.4
1.8
1.4

2.6

3.3

4.4
4.5
4.3
7.5
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.2
1.8
2.2
1.8
1.4

2.5

3.3

4.4
4.5
4.3
7.5
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.1
1.8
2.2
1.8
1.4

2.5

3.2

4.4
4.6
4.5
7.5
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.0
1.8
2.2
1.8
1.4

2.5

3.2

4.4
4.6
4.5
7.5
4.2
4.4
3.0

3.0
1.8
2.2
1.8
1.4

2.5

3.2

1.5
2.2
-0.2
1.4
2.3
1.9

0.8
0.8
-0.3
1.2
1.7
1.0

2.0
-0.2
1.2
2.2
2.0

1.5
2.5
-0.2
1.2
2.2
2.0

1.6

2.6
-0.2
1.2
2.3
1.9

1.7

2.1
-0.2
1.5
2.0
1.5

1.5

2.3
0.0
1.7
1.9
1.3

1.6

1.8
0.1
1.6
1.8
1.1

1.4

1.8
0.1
1.7
1.7
1.0

1.4

1.9
0.1
1.8
1.7
0.9

1.4

2.0
0.2
1.9
1.7
0.8

1.4

2.0
0.3
2.0
1.7
0.7

1.5

--------------------------- Four-quarter changes --------------------------

4.4
4.3
2.5
10.1
4.4
4.5
4.0

3.7
0.6
1.5
1.4
1.0

2.4

3.2

1.
2.
3.
4.

Foreign GDP aggregates calculated using shares of U.S. exports.
Harmonized data for euro area from Eurostat.
Foreign CPI aggregates calculated using shares of U.S. non-oil imports.
CPI excluding mortgage interest payments, which is the targeted inflation rate.

Developing Countries
3.0
3.6
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.2
3.7
3.5
3.3
3.2
3.2
3.1
Asia
2.2
3.3
4.2
4.0
4.1
3.6
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.4
Korea
3.3
3.4
4.3
3.8
4.2
4.9
4.3
4.4
3.9
3.7
3.6
3.3
China
2.8
4.4
5.3
4.7
4.8
3.4
2.6
2.2
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.9
Latin America
4.7
4.5
5.1
5.3
5.0
5.1
4.7
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.2
Mexico
4.3
4.3
4.8
5.0
4.6
4.8
4.3
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.8
Brazil
6.8
5.5
6.8
7.1
7.0
6.9
6.3
6.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.6
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Industrial Countries
of which:
Canada
Japan
United Kingdom (4)
Euro Area (2)
Germany

CONSUMER PRICES (3)
-------------------

4.3
1.3
3.6
2.0
1.9

3.0
6.4
2.7
2.8
1.7
4.9
4.8
2.3
2.8
4.9
4.9
6.1

3.0

3.8

3.4

4.6

-------------------- Quarterly changes at an annual rate ------------------

Industrial Countries
of which:
Canada
Japan
United Kingdom
Euro Area (2)
Germany

REAL GDP (1)
-----------Total foreign

----------------------- Projected --------------------------2004
2005
2006
------------------------------------------------------------------Measure and country
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strictly Confidential (FR)
November 3, 2004
Class II FOMC
OUTLOOK FOR FOREIGN REAL GDP AND CONSUMER PRICES: SELECTED COUNTRIES
(Percent changes)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I-42

November 3, 2004

2.6
4.4
7.3
9.5
1.2
11.0
10.4
4.2
26.4
-7.7
11.2

Exports of G&S
Services
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 1/

Imports of G&S
Services
Oil
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 2/

-0.9
0.7
-1.6

-0.2
-1.3
1.1

11.2
10.7
13.3
13.9
22.8
10.5

6.5
1.8
22.7
27.6
5.9
-7.6
-5.9
3.7
-13.6
-51.1
-6.5

-11.9
-8.9
-23.5
-34.6
-10.2
9.7
8.9
4.2
13.4
10.0
9.9

3.5
9.8
-1.0
9.9
0.4

-0.9
0.3
-1.3

Billions of Chained 2000 Dollars

12.1
6.5
-3.4
26.0
34.2
12.9

5.6
5.3
13.4
34.6
3.3

Percentage change, Q4/Q4

-1.0
0.6
-1.6

4.9
3.7
1.8
16.9
0.3
4.9

6.1
3.8
11.2
38.8
5.0

-0.1
0.6
-0.7

9.6
5.4
-0.5
27.3
25.0
10.7

7.3
4.9
8.6
-1.1
9.1

-0.7
0.7
-1.4

5.8
3.6
0.0
13.1
24.3
6.4

7.6
6.5
13.0
26.1
6.8

-0.1
0.8
-0.9

8.3
4.9
3.1
17.5
29.1
8.8

7.0
5.9
14.4
29.1
5.9

-0.6
0.7
-1.3

8.3
65.5
-57.2

-164.9

-209.6
-2.4

18.4
78.2
-59.8

-263.3

-296.8
-3.2

25.3
94.9
-69.7

-378.4

-413.5
-4.2

28.7
115.9
-87.2

-362.7

-385.7
-3.8

12.6
100.8
-88.2

-421.7

-473.9
-4.5

38.8
118.9
-80.1

-496.5

-530.7
-4.8

16.5
123.8
-107.3

-615.3

-677.9
-5.8

-20.2
135.6
-155.8

-672.0

-777.6
-6.3

-54.6
141.7
-196.3

-710.4

-850.3
-6.5

1. Merchandise exports excluding computers and semiconductors.
2. Merchandise imports excluding oil, computers, and semiconductors.

Other Income & Transfers,Net
-53.0
-52.0
-60.4
-51.7
-64.8
-72.9
-79.0
-85.3
-85.3
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Investment Income, Net
Direct, Net
Portfolio, Net

Net Goods & Services (BOP)

US CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE
Current Acct as Percent of GDP

Billions of dollars

Net Goods & Services
-203.8
-296.2
-379.5
-399.1
-472.1
-518.5
-583.6
-605.4
-659.6
Exports of G&S
966.5
1008.2
1096.3
1036.7
1012.4
1031.8
1123.1
1205.9
1293.8
Imports of G&S
1170.3
1304.5
1475.8
1435.8
1484.4
1550.2
1706.7
1811.3
1953.4
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-1.1
0.3
-1.4

Percentage point contribution to GDP growth, Q4/Q4

Net Goods & Services
Exports of G&S
Imports of G&S

NIPA REAL EXPORTS and IMPORTS

------ Projected -----1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OUTLOOK FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-43

November 3, 2004

-5.3
-5.0
-9.8
-30.0
-2.5
-3.7
-5.1
63.5
-22.6
-43.9
-5.5

Exports of G&S
Services
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 1/

Imports of G&S
Services
Oil
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 2/

-0.6
-2.0
1.5

-0.7
-1.1
0.5

-1.1
0.4
-1.5

-0.5
1.0
-1.4

-0.4
0.3
-0.7

-10.3
-18.3
-28.2
-13.4
-55.4
-3.7

-18.2
-13.7
-24.9
-45.3
-17.6
-3.4
-10.4
49.1
8.4
-23.7
-5.9

-10.8
-15.3
-21.3
3.7
-8.6
12.5
24.6
-5.6
50.2
42.3
8.3

4.7
21.7
-20.4
24.9
-2.1
11.4
-5.7
-17.5
7.2
33.9
19.4

11.0
4.5
11.9
38.8
12.6
5.4
2.8
-10.8
2.6
-6.7
8.5

3.1
3.5
-3.8
11.4
2.7

Billions of Chained 2000 Dollars, s.a.a.r.

-12.6
12.9
-33.8
-23.3
-70.1
-10.6

-12.7
-0.6
-35.7
-54.0
-11.5

-1.7
-0.4
-1.3

9.6
16.5
69.9
0.2
-17.6
4.1

-4.2
10.5
12.3
-24.4
-10.3

Percentage change from previous period, s.a.a.r.

0.5
-1.4
1.9

Percentage point contribution to GDP growth

-1.9
-2.4
-6.0
7.0
-4.0
-1.8

-1.5
-12.7
-4.5
40.9
2.4

0.1
-0.2
0.3

2.5
-9.4
-2.8
15.9
2.4
5.5

-1.6
-3.5
-3.4
28.0
-2.4

-0.5
-0.2
-0.3

2.9
17.9
0.6
12.0
-1.5
-0.9

11.3
14.1
38.2
40.8
6.6

0.6
1.0
-0.4

17.1
11.0
16.6
34.2
4.4
17.9

17.4
20.6
19.8
45.9
13.9

-0.7
1.6
-2.2

29.8
116.1
-86.3

1.5
95.0
-93.5

-357.1

-367.6
-3.6

59.7
146.2
-86.6

-348.3

-358.3
-3.5

9.2
100.6
-91.4

-375.0

-440.8
-4.3

1.8
95.1
-93.2

-413.5

-471.6
-4.5

10.6
94.9
-84.3

-427.7

-476.0
-4.5

28.8
112.8
-84.0

-470.7

-507.4
-4.8

21.5
101.3
-79.8

-501.6

-552.8
-5.1

29.1
105.4
-76.3

-493.5

-535.5
-4.9

34.5
114.6
-80.1

-489.0

-526.5
-4.7

70.1
154.2
-84.1

-502.0

-507.8
-4.5

1. Merchandise exports excluding computers and semiconductors.
2. Merchandise imports excluding oil, computers, and semiconductors.

Other Inc. & Transfers, Net -61.3
-63.9
-12.0
-69.7
-75.0
-59.9
-59.0
-65.4
-72.8
-71.0
-72.0
-76.0
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23.9
106.2
-82.3

-356.1

Net Goods & Services (BOP) -389.3

Investment Income, Net
Direct, Net
Portfolio, Net

-390.2
-3.9

-426.8
-4.3

US CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE
Current Account as % of GDP

Billions of dollars, s.a.a.r.

Net Goods & Services
-398.2 -385.2 -398.4 -414.6 -444.9 -458.1 -469.8 -515.4 -511.7 -525.2 -508.7 -528.3
Exports of G&S
1097.2 1060.6 1008.7
980.3
991.6 1017.8 1025.5 1014.5 1010.6 1006.5 1033.8 1076.2
Imports of G&S
1495.4 1445.8 1407.1 1394.9 1436.5 1475.9 1495.3 1529.8 1522.3 1531.7 1542.5 1604.5
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-0.0
-0.6
0.6

Net Goods & Services
Exports of G&S
Imports of G&S

NIPA REAL EXPORTS and IMPORTS

2001
2002
2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OUTLOOK FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-44

November 3, 2004

7.3
3.4
-8.3
12.5
10.1
10.6
1.1
39.0
12.8
42.2
8.9

Exports of G&S
Services
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 1/

Imports of G&S
Services
Oil
Computers
Semiconductors
Other Goods 2/

-0.7
0.4
-1.2

-0.1
1.0
-1.1

0.0
0.6
-0.6

0.2
0.8
-0.6

-0.3
0.8
-1.1

7.9
8.8
-2.2
33.0
12.2
7.4

4.5
-0.9
21.1
-23.5
8.4
7.4
1.5
7.8
26.2
26.2
7.2

10.4
7.3
27.5
23.9
10.1
3.6
1.9
13.4
2.5
12.6
2.3

5.6
6.8
9.5
18.3
4.1
3.6
3.3
-22.3
16.2
27.7
7.0

7.8
6.6
14.0
28.2
6.9
6.9
4.3
-3.7
17.1
28.6
8.0

7.9
6.4
14.3
29.1
7.0

Billions of Chained 2000 Dollars, s.a.a.r.

12.6
10.7
-33.1
38.6
21.2
19.6

7.3
10.2
-1.8
-10.1
7.7

Percentage change from previous period, s.a.a.r.

-1.1
0.7
-1.8

Percentage point contribution to GDP growth

9.4
4.9
18.0
17.3
29.1
8.3

9.0
6.2
14.3
29.1
9.0

-0.5
0.9
-1.4

9.4
4.9
16.8
17.5
29.1
8.5

5.8
6.0
14.4
29.1
4.0

-0.8
0.6
-1.4

5.5
5.0
-21.8
17.5
29.1
8.8

7.0
6.0
14.4
29.1
5.9

-0.1
0.7
-0.9

8.0
4.9
-1.4
17.5
29.1
8.9

6.9
5.9
14.4
29.1
5.8

-0.5
0.7
-1.2

10.4
5.0
25.8
17.5
29.1
9.0

8.2
5.8
14.4
29.1
7.9

-0.8
0.8
-1.6

16.7
116.2
-99.5

9.3
117.6
-108.2

-635.3

-690.7
-5.9

-14.2
122.2
-136.4

-670.5

-767.5
-6.4

-12.4
130.5
-142.8

-676.1

-780.8
-6.5

-20.4
133.9
-154.3

-665.0

-768.0
-6.3

-21.3
137.9
-159.2

-667.9

-772.1
-6.2

-26.8
140.0
-166.8

-679.2

-789.3
-6.3

-40.1
137.4
-177.5

-700.8

-833.3
-6.5

-47.9
140.5
-188.3

-699.0

-829.4
-6.4

-58.1
144.6
-202.6

-710.3

-851.3
-6.5

-72.5
144.2
-216.8

-731.3

-887.2
-6.7

1. Merchandise exports excluding computers and semiconductors.
2. Merchandise imports excluding oil, computers, and semiconductors.

Other Inc. & Transfers, Net -88.5
-80.3
-64.7
-82.7
-92.4
-82.5
-82.9
-83.3
-92.4
-82.5
-82.9
-83.3
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

54.3
139.1
-84.8

-601.1

Net Goods & Services (BOP) -554.4

Investment Income, Net
Direct, Net
Portfolio, Net

-664.7
-5.7

-588.7
-5.1

US CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE
Current Account as % of GDP

Billions of dollars, s.a.a.r.

Net Goods & Services
-550.1 -580.3 -600.4 -603.6 -603.2 -596.5 -603.7 -618.2 -642.6 -646.9 -662.7 -686.1
Exports of G&S
1095.4 1114.8 1127.1 1155.2 1171.1 1193.4 1216.2 1242.8 1260.5 1282.0 1303.5 1329.3
Imports of G&S
1645.5 1695.1 1727.5 1758.8 1774.3 1789.9 1819.9 1861.1 1903.1 1928.9 1966.2 2015.4
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-0.8
0.7
-1.5

Net Goods & Services
Exports of G&S
Imports of G&S

NIPA REAL EXPORTS and IMPORTS

----------------------------- Projected -------------------------------2004
2005
2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OUTLOOK FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strictly Confidential (FR)
Class II FOMC

I-45