Wolters Kluwer’s Blue Chip Economic and Rate Forecasts Come to Macrobond

For more than 45 years, Wolters Kluwer’s Blue Chip publications have provided decision makers with trusted forecasts for the US. Surveying some of America’s most prominent economists, Blue Chip’s forecasts are cited by academics, government officials and financial media and compiled by experts in Wolters Kluwer’s Legal & Regulatory division. 

We’re excited to announce that Blue Chip is now available in Macrobond – providing our community with key insights into the world’s biggest economy.

Two modules are available:

1. Blue Chip Economic Indicators contains forecasts for US economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and a host of other critical indicators of future business activity. More than 50 economists employed by some of America's largest and most respected manufacturers, banks, insurance companies and brokerage firms provide their insights. 

Users can access each panel member’s forecast, as well as a consensus average and various metrics that can help you identify shifts in sentiment.

The chart below uses Blue Chip’s forecasts to show how over the course of 2022, economists grew steadily more pessimistic about the prospects for growth this year – adjusted for stubborn inflation. Expectations rebounded in recent months, and the consensus estimate is above 1 percent for 2023.

Forecasts for select developed and emerging economies are also available for the following metrics: current account, FX rate against USD, inflation, three-month interest rates, and real GDP growth. 

2. Blue Chip Financial Forecasts assess the future direction and level of U.S. interest rates. Estimates are provided for the Fed funds rate, T-Bills and notes of various maturities, corporate bonds, home mortgage rates and more. 

Like the Economic Indicators module, users can access the forecasts from individual panel members – as well as the consensus average and further metrics of sentiment that help you go deeper.

This chart shows the power of visualising Blue Chip’s forecasts. At the time of writing, the consensus view still anticipates a Fed “pivot” to rate cuts before the end of the year. But individual analysts have widely divergent views, as represented by the high-low range several quarters out. Some of the economists surveyed even see the Fed funds rate above 5.5 percent well into 2024.

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‍Rocco Impreveduto, Vice President & GM, Transactional, Retirement, and e-Commerce Business, Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory U.S, said: “We are excited that our Blue Chip data is now available through Macrobond and its suite of integrated analytical tools. Their products allow customers to analyze the valuable information provided by the Blue Chip Economic Indicators and Financial Forecasts data to provide the deep insight that economists, portfolio managers, quantitative analysts and strategists at the world’s largest financial organizations need.”

Howard Rees, Macrobond Chief Commercial Officer, says: “Macrobond's significant investment in US data in recent years has yielded remarkable results, as the Americas emerge as our fastest growing region worldwide. With revenue growth over 300% last year, our expansion shows no signs of slowing down. It is our commitment to continuous investment in data and technology that made us the industry leader, and the addition of Blue Chip data represents a natural and welcome step in that journey.”