IMF sees better growth this year and next

  • Also sees 2019 growth at 3.9% compared to 3.7% prior
  • Raise 2018 US growth to 2.7% vs 2.3% in Oct
  • Half of global growth bump stems from US tax reform
  • Raises 2018 China growth to 6.6% vs 6.5% prior
  • Warns a financial market correction could dampen global growth
  • Maintains growth forecast for emerging and developing markets
  • Sees US growth slowing from 2022 as tax impact begins to wane
  • Cuts 2018 South Africa projection to +0.9% from +1.1%

IMF officials had been hinting this was coming, so it's not a big surprise. Still, it's good news for just about everyone and another headline that affirms the 'global synchronized growth' theme.