Morgan Stanley still sees 20pc chance of US recession

Morgan Stanley economists are clinging to their forecast of a 20 percent chance the US economy will slip into recession in 2016 on evidence of contraction in the factory sector and signs of slowing among services industries.

"That assessment still feels about right," they said in a research note released today. They forecast gross domestic product was little changed in the fourth quarter and would likely grow 1.8 percent in 2016.

Among economists, the median forecast is for US GDP growth of 0.80 percent at an annualized rate in the fourth quarter and annual growth of 2.5 percent in 2016.

The government will release its first reading on fourth-quarter economic growth on Jan. 29.

If GDP growth deteriorates to a range of 1 percent to 1.5 percent in 2016, the Federal Reserve would likely refrain from raising interest rates this year, the Morgan Stanley economists said. The US central bank raised rates in December, the first hike in nearly a decade. Fed policymakers also released their economic and interest rate forecasts, which suggested on average they see four quarter-point rate increases in 2016.

"Stall speed in the U.S., or even a shift to a lower channel of growth, would likely halt the Fed in its tracks - precipitating a 'oneand-done' scenario for this policy tightening cycle," the Morgan Stanley economists said.