Merrill Lynch: U.S. Downturn Won't Derail World Economy.

LONDON & NEW YORK -- A sharp slowdown in the U.S. economy in 2007 is unlikely to drag the rest of the global economy down with it, according to a research report by Merrill Lynch's (NYSE: MER) global economic team. The good news is that there are strong sources of growth outside the U.S. that should prove resilient to a consumer-led U.S. slowdown.

Merrill Lynch economists expect U.S. GDP growth to slow to 1.9% in 2007 from 3.4% in 2006, but non-U.S. growth to decline by only half a percent (5.2% versus 5.7%). Behind this decoupling is higher non-U.S. domestic demand, a rise in intra-regional trade and supportive macroeconomic policies in many of the world's economies. Although some countries appear very vulnerable to a U.S. slowdown, one in five is actually on course for faster GDP growth in 2007.

Asia, Japan and India appear well-placed to decouple from the U.S., though Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore are more likely to be impacted. European countries could feel the pinch, but rising domestic demand in the core countries should help the region weather the storm much better than in previous U.S. downturns. In the Americas, Canada will probably be hit, but Brazil is set to decouple.

U.S. slowdown will be consumer-led

The much-vaunted housing market correction, which has finally hit the U.S. economy, has the potential to pull the U.S. to the brink of recession by early 2007. Judging by past experience, housing starts decline by 50% peak-to-trough and the correction lasts well over two years. This time around, the correction has the added twist that housing has become extremely overvalued - by 20% at least and perhaps as much as 40%. Merrill Lynch expects an outright decline in housing prices of about 5% next year.

The combination of the decline in home prices and the slowing in the growth of housing stock is expected to reduce housing wealth by more than U.S.$ 1 trillion in 2007. This, in turn, will likely mean that U.S. consumers will spend 1% less for most of next year and double that figure if house price falls are more severe.

The only bright spot is business investment, which is set to be robust due to healthy profit margins, high productivity growth and strong corporate balance sheets.

Japan is global star

Japan appears better able to withstand a U.S. slowdown than any other country. For the first time in over a decade, the country's financial system is flush with capital, and banks are eager to lend to corporations and households alike. Japan's export markets are far less reliant on the U.S. than they were in the 1990s, with 78% of its goods and services directed towards China and the rest of Asia. In addition, managers are re-investing in their businesses for growth, which should sharply boost domestic demand. At the same time, Japanese companies are investing heavily in their workforce, forcing down the already low unemployment rate. Household consumption will probably be further boosted by low interest rates and a steady rate of income tax.

The rest of Asia is more closely linked to the fortunes of the global economy. Taiwan and - to a lesser extent - Hong Kong and Singapore, could find it hard to escape the effects of a U.S. slowdown.

However, the relative robustness of the non-U.S. economy, coupled with supportive macroeconomic policies in the larger Asian countries, should help the region weather slower U.S. growth, especially if the U.S. capex cycle is resilient. Even China, where U.S. exports amount to 8% of GDP, could be resilient if its leaders opt for an aggressive policy response.

Euro area could withstand slower U.S. growth

Despite a strong historical correlation between the U.S. and the Euro area's business cycle, the region has a good chance of avoiding the worst effects of a U.S. slowdown. For one thing, the Euro area's GDP growth, though modest, is being driven by stronger domestic demand, not exports. Also, half of all exports are capital goods, which are expected to hold up more strongly than consumer goods. Euro area GDP is set to slow from 2.6% to 2.1% during 2007, but this is because of the impact on domestic demand of tighter fiscal policy.

Some emerging economies will feel the pinch

Slower U.S. growth would impact emerging markets in two ways: directly, through lower demand for EM products, and indirectly through weaker commodity prices and less abundant liquidity. In broad terms, the latter would have a relatively larger effect within emerging Europe, while lower commodity prices would pose a greater risk to Latin American countries.

Latin America is better positioned than in previous U.S. downturns due to greater trade diversification and the wider use of flexible exchange rates. Mexico and Central America are the most sensitive to a U.S. slowdown and, if commodity prices fall, Venezuela, Chile and Ecuador would be hurt. Brazil has a high chance of de-coupling from the U.S., due to its relatively low reliance on exports and its current account surplus. Within the emerging economies of Europe, the effect will be more varied. Among the larger countries, Turkey is more vulnerable to a global liquidity crunch, a U.S. slowdown and an interest rate increase, while Russia is generally well positioned.

Anglo-Saxon divide in rates and currencies

Merrill Lynch economists expect a divergence in the interest rates of those countries that will continue to normalize monetary policy and those which are likely to reverse course on the back of expected economic slowdown. Japan and most European and Asian countries are expected to continue to raise interest rates. Australia, Canada and the UK are expected to keep rates steady. By contrast, our economists expect the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates by 125bp in 2007.

Broadly speaking Merrill Lynch would thus advise overweighting the fixed income markets of the U.S., Canada, Australia and Turkey and underweighting Japan, the Euro area and Korea.

Currency performance will also be affected by shifting interest rate differentials, among other influences. In aggregate, we expect a sizeable slide in the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen, the Chinese renminbi and the Scandinavian currencies, but an appreciation against the Australian dollar, the British pound and the Turkish lira.

Implications for commodity prices

In 2007, Merrill Lynch expect growth in supply for most major commodities to remain constrained and demand to expand further, albeit at a pace consistent with a deceleration in global economic activity to 4.4%.

Moreover, inventories are still relatively low for some commodities, leaving only a limited cushion against unexpected changes in supply or demand. As a result, Merrill Lynch believes that commodity prices will stay high and volatile, providing a boost to commodity-exporting economies.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Merrill Lynch analysts that contributed to this report include: David Rosenberg, chief North American Economist; David Wolf, senior Canadian Economist; Jesper Koll, chief Japan Economist; Klaus Baader, chief European Economist; TJ Bond, chief Asia Pacific Economist; Alex Patelis, head of Global FX and EMEA Economics; Francisco Blanch, head of Commodities Research; and Tulio Vera, chief GEM Macro and Fixed Income Strategist.

Merrill Lynch Global Securities Research & Economics Group has consistently achieved high rankings for its equity and fixed income research in numerous regional and global investor surveys, such as Institutional Investor, The Wall Street Journal, LatinFinance, Asiamoney, Euromoney, Extel and Reuters.

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