IMF mulling lower US growth forecast, according to ANSA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reportedly considering cutting its US growth forecast for the year due to higher taxes and spending cuts, according to a news article published by Reuters referencing an article published by Italian news agency ANSA which claimed to be citing a draft of the IMF's next World Economic Outlook.

According to Reuters, ANSA reported late on Saturday that the US economy would grow by 1.7% this year compared to the 2.0% growth rate which was forecast in January, and 3.0% in 2014 as previously expected, citing a draft copy of the IMF report.

The original ANSA news article was unavailable at the time of publication.

The next round of IMF predictions is expected to be published in mid-April.

The draft IMF document also reportedly said that the global economy would grow by 3.4% this year, down from the 3.5% growth rate previously predicted and that the UK economy would expand by 1.8%, down from the 1.9% foreseen in its previous forecast.

On the Continent, predictions for main Eurozone countries were not expected to change.

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