Stronger tech growth possible -- if Washington doesn't blow it

JPMorgan, Forrester, and IDC this week all lowered their tech spending forecasts for the year. Gartner did so in June. The analysts, while they aren't all in agreement on the extent of the problem, broadly blame Europe and a slowdown in China for this pullback along with a stronger U.S. dollar. But the overall catchword is "uncertainty." And into this pot of uncertainty, the U.S. government is ever more prominent and ominous.

JPMorgan warns that uncertainty related to U.S. government spending pre- and post-upcoming elections could weigh on the IT sector. Forrester is much blunter and sees an unfolding impact. The United States is experiencing an improving housing market, growth in the U.S. auto industry, low interest rates and lower energy prices. These forces could set the stage for stronger economic growth in the second half of this year, "if politicians don't blow it," argues Forrester Research analyst Andrew Bartels in his report.