Wall Street firms still see 50% chance of QE3: Reuters Poll

The median forecast in a Reuters poll of 17 primary dealers or firms that do business directly with the Fed showed a 50 percent chance of a third bout of large bond purchases that would expand its balance sheet. A similar poll conducted on June 1 also showed a 50 percent chance of a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3.

Ten of those surveyed see the Fed launching QE3 before year-end. Four of them see it happening in 2013, while one dealer firm said it could occur either this year or next.