But the possible downside of the better forecast: less Fed easing with the possibility that officials at their meeting this week forecast fewer rate cuts in 2024 they did in December. The CNBC Fed Survey respondents include economists, strategists and fund managers. And while the average recession probability is down, about 20% of respondents still say there's an even money chance or greater of a downturn in the next 12 months. "The larger-than-consensus reduction in the federal funds rate in my forecast is contingent on a recession that brings inflation down," said Robert Fry, of Robert Fry Economics. He has a 60% recession probability and sees the Fed slashing rates to 3.6% by year end from the current level of 5.38%.

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Persons: Jerome Powell, Tom Williams, John Donaldson, it's, Scott Wren, Robert Fry Organizations: UNITED STATES, Federal, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee, Inc, Getty, CNBC Fed Survey, Haverford Trust Co, Wells, Investment Institute, CNBC Fed, Robert Fry Economics Locations: U.S