- forecast
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a description of what is likely to happen in the future, based on information that is available now:
• The figures for 2001 are forecasts, the others are actuals.
• a gloomy sales forecast
• a cash-flow forecast
• Economic forecasts are widely used by policy makers.
• It is too early to make forecasts about demand.
• He has cut his full-year profit forecast from £235 million to £220 million.
forecast of• an inflation forecast of 3.5%
• The IMF had reduced its forecasts of economic growth among the world's largest industrialized nations.
to make a statement saying what is likely to happen in the future, based on information that is available now:• Turnover is forecast to grow 6.7% this year.
• This year we forecast growth of 30%.
forecast that• The bank's chief economist has forecast that interest rates will fall within two months.
forecast something at something• GDP growth was forecast at 1%.
— forecasting noun [uncountable] :• Economic forecasting is not an exact science.
— forecaster noun [countable] :• The upturn in sales was double the increase the economic forecasters had been expecting.
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A projection of current trends using existing data. Forecasts are widely used by business and financial planners, economists and stock market analysts. Analysts' forecasts include price levels, company earnings and economic indicators.* * *
Ⅰ.forecast UK US /ˈfɔːkɑːst/ noun [C]► a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, based on information you have now: give/make/provide a forecast on sth »He refused to give a forecast on when 365 is likely to make money for shareholders.
cut/downgrade/reduce a forecast »The CBI also cut its growth forecast for the economy next year from 2.7% to 2.4%.
meet a forecast »The company hopes to meet its forecast of 4% growth this year.
a budget/deficit/profit/revenue forecast »As for housing and jobs, the budget forecast predicts little improvement any time soon.
»The Treasury's summer economic forecast warned of a rise in underlying inflation by the end of the year.
»a bleak/gloomy forecast
→ See also CASH FLOW FORECAST(Cf. ↑cash flow forecast), FINANCIAL FORECAST(Cf. ↑financial forecast), MARKET FORECAST(Cf. ↑market forecast)Ⅱ.forecast UK US /ˈfɔːkɑːst/ verb [T] (forecast, forecasted, forecast, forecasted)► to judge what is likely to happen in the future, based on information you have now: forecast a drop/growth/rise in sth »The company still forecasts a 2% growth in house prices next year.
forecast profits/revenue/sales »Analysts forecast profits of €8.8m this year.
be forecast to be sth »Operating profits are forecast to be below previous expectations at $3m.
forecast that »The Chancellor is forecasting that inflation will remain on target at 2.5% in each of the next three years.
Financial and business terms. 2012.
