And for the Economy's Next Act...

摘要

What a year. In 1997, the U. S. economy reveled in strong 3.7% growth, mild 2% inflation, 4.6% unemployment, low interest rates, fat profits, and a seemingly unstoppable stock market. Such trends are the stuff that economic dreams made of. But now it's time to look at 1998, and based on BUSINESS WEEK'S annual survey of 50 top economists, the outlook is filled with more than the usual uncertainties. For example, how much will the Asian crisis affect growth, the trade deficit, and profits? Can stronger markets in Europe take up some of the slack? Will tight U. S. labor markets push up labor costs? Will it be inflation or deflation? Here's what the experts think.