NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - With the holiday season upon us, a news report says forecasters are unwrapping these outlooks for 2006: a slight slowdown in economic growth; a handful more interest-rate hikes; and a dip in oil prices.

On average, the economy is expected to grow 3.3 percent from the end of 2005 to the end of 2006, according to BusinessWeek's annual outlook survey.

That's down from the expected 3.7 percent pace in 2005. However, a slight majority of those polled believe the economy will grow more than the 3.3 percent average projection. (Projections ranged from 4.3 percent to 2.4 percent.)

Profit growth is expected to slow to a pace of 7.4 percent but still post healthy gains, the survey said.

Forecasters also anticipate that inflation will fall as oil prices slip below $55 a barrel.

The Federal Reserve will lift its target rate to 4.75 percent by spring, from 4.25 percent currently.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year note is expected to drift up to five percent from about 4.5 percent.

And the jobless rate should edge down to 4.9 percent, from five percent, the survey said.

A sharp drop in the housing market and a big swing in the price of oil were the biggest concerns for 2006 among the forecasters, according to BusinessWeek.

BusinessWeek polled 54 forecasters for their annual outlook survey.

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