Noted Economists to Discuss the U.S. Economy at UNCA's
19th Annual Crystal Ball Seminar April 10

UNC Asheville will host the 19th annual Economic Crystal Ball Seminar on Thursday, April 10, at UNCA's Owen Conference Center. Noted economists David W. Berson and James F. Smith will discuss "The U.S. Economy: The Business and Financial Outlook through 2004." The event is free and open to the public.

The seminar, sponsored by the UNCA Economics Department and RBC Centura, begins with a 6:15 p.m. reception, followed by the speakers at 7 p.m. and a question-and-answer period at 8 p.m.

The economic outlook portion of the program will focus on inflation, employment, interest rates and the strength of the dollar, as well as the North Carolina budget. The financial outlook presentation will explore the implications of the Federal Reserve policy for financial markets. Various investments will be addressed, with an emphasis on interest rates and the bond market. 

Berson, a vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae, is responsible for forecasting interest rates and the housing market. He is a past president of National Association of Business Economists, and has been chief financial economist at Wharton Econometrics Forecasting Associates and a visiting scholar with the Federal Reserve. 

Smith, professor of finance at UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, has more than 25 years of experience as an economics forecaster. His career spans private industry, government and academic institutions and includes tenures with Wharton Econometrics, Union Carbide and Federal Reserve. He has twice been named the best economic forecaster by the Wall Street Journal.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. To register, call UNCA's Economics Department at 828/251-6550 or e-mail.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Joseph Sulock, UNCA Economics Professor, 828/251-6568
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526