Citigroup Cuts 2011 Global Growth Forecast to 3.1%

Citigroup cut its global growth forecasts for this year and next, with sharp reductions for the United States, euro zone and United Kingdom, as well as modest cuts for China and India. The brokerage cut its global gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2011 to 3.1 percent from 3.4 percent, and for 2012, to 3.2 percent from 3.7 percent.

Citigroup said it does not currently expect recessions in the major economies as this slowdown in economic growth is not enough to reverse global profits. "But we do expect advanced economy growth will remain sluggish to end-2012 at least, with rising unemployment," the brokerage said in a note to clients dated August 24.

For advanced economies, Citigroup cut its growth forecast to 1.4 percent from 1.8 percent for 2011, and to 1.7 percent from 2.2 percent for 2012. Citigroup also cut its growth forecast for China to 9.0 percent from 9.2 percent for 2011, reflecting weakness in major export markets.