Clearing the hurdles in 2007.

This article explores the economic prospects in the U.S. in 2007. The economy should expand on the order of 2.5% to three percent for the year, compared with an expected 3.3% for 2006. Home prices nationwide may well log their first annual price decline since the 1930s. For businesses, forecasters claim profits will rise in the range of seven percent to 10%, down from an expected 15% in 2006. Still, companies, flush with cash, are expected to spend on plants and equipment.