U.S. Won't Be Dragged Down by Japan, Europe in 2015 Says KPMG's Hunter

The sluggish Japanese and European economies will not slow down U.S. growth in the coming year, said Constance Hunter, Chief Economist at KPMG. Hunter added that the strong U.S. dollar may pinch multinational profits, but the losses will be offset by lower oil and natural gas prices. She said the rising US currency will also cause consumers to spend more on imports, thereby benefiting European and Japanese exporters. Hunter said she expects increased capex spending in 2015 as manufacturing capacity is exhausted and she also expects banks to do their part by expanding commercial and industrial lending.