Markets Remain Anxious, Despite Falling Odds of a Recession
Market jitters persist despite economists downplaying the chances of a recession, as global stocks and US futures remain in the red and inflation fears continue to linger.
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Posted 9/5/2023, 11:51:44 AM
nytimes.com
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The U.S. economy is forecasted to be growing rapidly, which is causing concern for the Federal Reserve and those hoping for low interest rates.
The U.S. economy and markets seem to be in good shape for now, but there are concerns about the potential for problems in the future due to factors such as rising interest rates, supply and labor shocks, and political uncertainties.
Despite optimistic economic data and the belief that a recession has been avoided, some economists and analysts believe that a recession is still on the horizon due to factors such as the impact of interest rate hikes and lagged effects of inflation and tighter lending standards.
Despite the optimism from some economists and Wall Street experts, economist Oren Klachkin believes that elevated interest rates, restrictive Federal Reserve policy, and tight lending standards will lead to a mild recession in late 2023 due to decreased consumer spending and slow hiring, although he acknowledges that the definition of a recession may not be met due to some industries thriving while others struggle.
A global recession is looming due to rising interest rates and the cost of living crisis, leading economists to warn of a severe downturn in the post-Covid rebound.
Market optimism around the US economy may decline as recent shifts in the Treasury yield curve indicate a potential trigger for a correction or rapid unwind in positions, with investors closely watching Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech.
Stocks are overvalued and a recession is expected in the first half of next year, according to economist Steve Hanke. He predicts that inflation will cool, Treasury yields will fall, and house prices will remain stable.
US equity markets were relatively stagnant last week, with major indexes trading up and down around their 200-day moving averages, indicating a lack of direction and potential resistance, while Treasury markets appeared to stabilize despite an inverted yield curve, suggesting a potential recession on the horizon. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish speech on Friday emphasized the need for caution and the possibility of higher interest rates, while Nvidia's strong earnings highlighted the company's dominance in the artificial intelligence sector.
The markets are facing numerous headwinds, including an imbalanced U.S. economy, stubborn inflation, a looming recession in Europe and China, a bulging deficit, reduced market liquidity, rising geopolitical risk, and high price earnings ratios, making above-average cash reserves a sensible choice for investors.
U.S. stock futures pause as investors await JOLTs labor market data and the upcoming jobs report, with expectations for interest rates influencing market sentiment.
The U.S. jobs market shows signs of cooling as Labor Day approaches, giving investors relief from concerns about a potential Federal Reserve interest rate hike. However, global market rally and uncertainty around China's market rebound indicate that risks still persist.
Global markets are ending a bumpy August with some improvement, but uncertainty around inflation, interest rates, China's economic struggles, and geopolitics still loom.
The global economy is expected to slow down due to persistently high inflation, higher interest rates, China's slowing growth, and financial system stresses, according to Moody's Investors Service, although there may be pockets of resilience in markets like India and Indonesia.
The US job market shows signs of slowing but remains resilient, with 187,000 jobs added in August and a rise in the unemployment rate to 3.8%, as more people actively look for work. Wage gains are easing, signaling a potential slowdown in inflation, and the Federal Reserve may decide against further interest rate hikes.
The U.S. economy has shown unexpected strength, with a resilient labor market and cooling inflation improving the odds of avoiding a recession and achieving a soft landing, but the full effects of rising interest rates may take time to filter through the economy.
The U.S. economy is defying expectations with continued growth, falling inflation, and a strong stock market; however, there is uncertainty about the near-term outlook and it depends on the economy's future course and the actions of the Federal Reserve.
The US job market is cooling down, with signs of weakening and a slowdown in momentum, which may allow the Federal Reserve to ease inflation pressure through weaker job creation and reduced demand.
Stock investors have been reacting positively to "bad economic news" as it may imply a slowdown in the economy and a potential halt to interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, however, for this trend to change, economic data would have to be much worse than it is currently.
The U.S. dollar drifted in cautious trading as investors considered U.S. jobs data that indicated a potential slowdown, suggesting that the Federal Reserve may be nearing the end of its monetary tightening cycle.
Despite weak economic news and concern over a slowing economy, there is still optimism among investors that a recession is unlikely.
Goldman Sachs is confident that the US economy will avoid a recession, lowering its estimated chance to just 15% due to positive economic indicators such as low inflation, a strong job market, and rising wages.
The global economic slowdown and U.S. recession risks are causing concern among officials, with experts discussing recession forecasts and advising investors on portfolio and sector strategies.
Despite recent optimism around the U.S. economy, Deutsche Bank analysts believe that a recession is more likely than a "soft landing" as the Federal Reserve tightens monetary conditions to curb inflation.
The odds of a recession in the US have collapsed, making markets vulnerable to any signs of the economy overheating and contributing to inflationary pressures.
The US economy is facing a looming recession, with weakness in certain sectors, but investors should not expect a significant number of interest-rate cuts next year, according to Liz Ann Sonders, the chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab. She points out that leading indicators have severely deteriorated, indicating trouble ahead, and predicts a full-blown recession as the most likely outcome. Despite this, the stock market has been defying rate increases and performing well.
Uncertainty in various sectors, including potential strikes, government shutdowns, geopolitical tensions, and the question of future Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, is causing markets to lack conviction, but this week's inflation readings could provide direction for the markets. If inflation comes in below expectations, it may signal that the Fed will not hike rates further, while stronger-than-expected inflation could lead to more rate hikes and market volatility. Additionally, increasing energy prices and the potential strike by the United Auto Workers union add to the uncertainty.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen believes the US economy is on a path that will prevent a recession while maintaining control over inflation, as polls show increasing optimism among Americans; she also expects a strong labor market despite slower economic growth.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Goldman Sachs may be optimistic about a "soft landing" scenario for the US economy, but the author remains skeptical due to factors such as a deeply inverted yield curve, declining Leading Economic Indicators, challenges faced by the consumer, global growth concerns, and the lagging impact of the Fed's monetary policy, leading them to maintain a conservative portfolio allocation.
The Federal Reserve is unlikely to panic over the recent surge in consumer prices, driven by a rise in fuel costs, as it considers further interest rate hikes, but if the rate hikes weaken the job market it could have negative consequences for consumers and President Biden ahead of the 2024 election.
The US bond market has consistently indicated a potential recession for over 212 consecutive trading days, despite the resilient economy, suggesting a disconnect between market signals and economic reality.
The stock market is disregarding signs of an economic slowdown, despite historical evidence suggesting it could be a cause for concern.
Renowned investor Jeremy Grantham warns that the US tech bubble is on the verge of bursting due to inflated stock prices driven by AI hype, with a high chance of a US recession in the next 18 months. He advises caution in investing in US equities, real estate, and commodities, but sees compelling opportunities in climate-change stocks.
The labor markets are expected to pause on rate changes as the economy slows down, with growth in employment and capital expenditure decreasing and downside risks increasing, such as higher interest payments for the government and a potential United Auto Workers strike. However, there is hope for a rebound in 2024 with a potential pause in rate cuts and moderating inflation.
Despite rising gas prices, Americans remain optimistic about inflation easing, as expectations for inflation rates in the year ahead have fallen to the lowest level since March 2021, according to a consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan. However, concerns are surfacing about a potential government shutdown, which could dampen consumer views on the economy.
Investors are becoming increasingly cautious about the US stock market and the economy as 2023 draws to a close, leading to a more defensive investment approach by Wall Street banks and experts warning of potential pain ahead.
Entrepreneur Jaspreet Singh warns that signs of a potential recession in America include labor shortages, inflation-driven spending, and high interest rates, with economists predicting that the country may start feeling the effects of a recession by the second quarter of 2024. Singh advises Americans to educate themselves about saving money and investing to prepare for the possible downturn.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sees no signs of an economic downturn but warns that failure to pass legislation to keep the government running could slow economic momentum.
The positive momentum surrounding Bitcoin's price is fueled by expectations that the Federal Reserve will not hike rates again this year, while market participants remain optimistic despite the strength of the United States Dollar Index.
World markets are cautious ahead of central bank decisions and concerned about inflation signals amidst rising oil prices, as crude oil reaches its highest levels of the year due to supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia, while US production also falls.
Wall Street fears that the Federal Reserve will push out the timing for rate cuts next year, sparking concerns of a hawkish pause and increasing selling pressure, despite a trend of rapid disinflation and the potential for a higher neutral interest rate.
The Federal Reserve's uncertainty about 2024 is causing concern for the markets.
The Federal Reserve has paused raising interest rates and projects that the US will not experience a recession until at least 2027, citing improvement in the economy and a "very smooth landing," though there are still potential risks such as surging oil prices, an auto worker strike, and the threat of a government shutdown.
World markets attempt to stabilize following a week of central bank decisions, as the dollar hits 6-month highs due to the hawkish stance of the Federal Reserve, while the Bank of Japan remains dovish and business readouts offer some soothing economic news.
The Federal Reserve's measure of inflation is disconnected from market conditions, increasing the likelihood of a recession, according to Duke University finance professor Campbell Harvey. If the central bank continues to raise interest rates based on this flawed inflation gauge, the severity of the economic downturn could worsen.
The forecasted U.S. recession in 2024 is expected to be shorter and less severe than previous recessions, with the economy's interest-rate sensitivity much lower due to reduced leverage and elevated savings from the postpandemic environment, leading investors to consider positioning for investment opportunities that will drive markets into 2024.
The U.S. economy is facing uncertainty and conflicting estimates, with regional Fed estimates showing significant divergence and risks of economic contraction or slow growth, while factors such as health insurance costs, wage growth, home prices, and rising gas and commodity prices could potentially cause inflation to rebound. Moreover, there are still risks and challenges ahead, making declarations of victory premature, according to Larry Summers.