US DATA: Mar NABE econ policy survey taken Feb 15-Mar 6, shows
“Opinion was almost evenly split among survey respondents who think
current fiscal policy is too stimulative 35%, too restrictive 34%, and
about right 31%, and a small majority preferring that fiscal policy
become more restrictive over the next two years. However, the vast
majority of survey respondents favors some combination of higher taxes
and reduced spending in order to reduce the federal budget deficit, with
the general view tilting more in the direction of spending reduction.
A slight majority of the NABE panel indicated that current monetary
policy is about right (58%), and most respondents think that short-term
interest rates over the next 12 months would remain about where they are
currently (50% vs 41% more restrictive). While a majority of respondents
feel that the Fed’s QE to date have been effective, at the same time an
overwhelming majority do not think that the FOMC should pursue another
round of QE this year.” See MNI Main wire.