US Q4 growth is setting up to be very strong – Citi

In the view of the analysts at Citigroup, the US advance GDP figures for the fourth quarter are expected to come in stronger. The US data is due later in the NA session at 1330 GMT.

Key Quotes:

“Q4 growth is setting up to be very strong.

An unexpected narrowing in the trade balance in November.

Our Q4-18 GDP tracker currently stands at 2.5%

However, Q1 growth is likely to slow as tighter financial conditions and the government shutdown exert a drag.

This is by now well expected in markets and between these factors and potential residual seasonality we think investors (and the Fed) will stay in wait-and-see mode until a clearer picture emerges in Q2.”