1. Home
  2. >
  3. Economy 🏛️
Posted

Has Powell Achieved the Impossible? Economy Holds Despite Aggressive Fed Rate Hikes

  • Despite aggressive Fed rate hikes, the predicted recession hasn't arrived yet. Inflation has fallen while GDP and unemployment have remained stable, begging the question - has Powell pulled off a soft landing already?

  • There's no definitive criteria for declaring a soft landing, but economists are looking for low inflation, positive growth, and a strong labor market. Most say it's too soon to make the call.

  • Inflation ticked up in August but underlying price pressures are easing. However, pessimists argue it's still far from the Fed's 2% target.

  • Housing and auto shortages may buoy key sectors despite rate hikes. Government spending on infrastructure could also prevent a spike in unemployment.

  • The labor market has shown unprecedented strength, supporting consumer spending - the backbone of GDP. As long as jobs remain stable, so may the economy.

fortune.com
Relevant topic timeline:
The U.S. economy has defied previous expectations of slow growth due to factors such as poor productivity and population aging, with growth exceeding projections and averaging 3% under President Joe Biden, but policymakers are still cautious and concerned about the uncertain economic trends, including labor force growth, inflation, and productivity.
The Federal Reserve's long-held belief that the US economy had reached its long-term growth potential of 1.8% is being challenged as strong growth continues, driven by unexpected labor force growth, manufacturing construction, and potential improvements in productivity, prompting a larger conversation about the country's economic potential.
The U.S. economy continues to grow above-trend, consumer spending remains strong, and the labor market is tight; however, there are concerns about inflation and rising interest rates which could impact the economy and consumer balance sheets, leading to a gradual softening of the labor market.
The Federal Reserve faces new questions as the U.S. economy continues to perform well despite high interest rates, prompting economists to believe a "soft landing" is possible, with optimism rising for an acceleration of growth and a more sustainable post-pandemic economy.
The US Federal Reserve must consider the possibility of the economy reaccelerating rather than slowing, which could have implications for its inflation fight, according to Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin. He noted that retail sales were stronger than expected and consumer confidence is rising, potentially leading to higher inflation and a need for further tightening of monetary policy.
The US economy is growing rapidly with favorable conditions for workers, but despite this, many Americans feel pessimistic about the economy due to inflation and high prices, which are driven by complex global forces and not solely under the control of President Biden or Trump. Housing affordability is also a major concern. However, the Biden administration can still tout the economic recovery, with low unemployment and strong economic growth forecasts.
Economists discuss the state of the U.S. economy, effects of Bidenomics, inflation outlook, and more.
Americans' attitudes toward the US economy are becoming more tentative as consumer sentiment remains steady, reflecting divergent views on the economy's improvements and concerns about inflation, with inflation expectations remaining higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The economy is experiencing a soft landing, but the long-term consequences of easy money policies are still uncertain, with bankruptcies and a potential shakeout in office real estate looming.
Morgan Stanley's top economist, Seth Carpenter, believes that the US is nearing a dream economic scenario with falling inflation and steady growth, suggesting that the Federal Reserve is close to achieving a soft landing.
The U.S. economy may achieve a soft landing, as strong labor market, cooling inflation, and consumer savings support economic health and mitigate the risk of a recession, despite the rise in interest rates.
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.
Europe's struggle with inflation and economic growth contrasts with the United States, as the European Central Bank's aggressive tightening risks pushing the euro zone into a downturn, with the manufacturing and services sectors already showing signs of contraction.
The U.S. economy is heading towards a soft landing, but the actions of Saudi Arabia and Russia may disrupt this trajectory.
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.
Australia's economy may not experience a soft landing, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers, due to potential risks such as China's slowing economy and a slump in household consumption resulting from rising interest rates.
Bank of America warns that the US economy still faces the risk of a "hard landing" due to rising oil prices, a strong dollar, and potential interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, contrasting with the optimistic outlook of other Wall Street banks.
Economists predict that inflation will cool without a recession, as the effects of rate hikes have already taken shape, putting the US economy on track for a soft landing.
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.
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 economic situation is uncertain with signs of inflation and weak household income, leading to a confused and muddled market.
The Federal Reserve faces a critical decision at the end of the year that could determine whether the US economy suffers or inflation exceeds target levels, according to economist Mohamed El-Erian. He suggests the central bank must choose between tolerating inflation at 3% or higher, or risking a downturn in the economy.
The US economy shows signs of weakness despite pockets of strength, with inflation still above the Fed's 2% target and consumer spending facing challenges ahead, such as the restart of student loan payments and the drain on savings from the pandemic.
A Guardian/Harris Poll survey found that although official figures suggest a strong US economy, two-thirds of Americans feel financially squeezed and find it difficult to be happy about positive economic news, potentially impacting the Biden administration's popularity and the upcoming election in swing states like North Carolina.
The article discusses the current state of the economy and questions whether the "soft landing" explanation and belief in a full recovery are accurate, particularly in light of China's economic struggles and global inflation concerns.
Investors are more focused on the release of new forecasts from the Federal Reserve, which will reveal their views on the prospect of an economic "soft landing" and the rate environment that will accompany it.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicates that while policymakers project a "soft landing" for the US economy, he does not confirm it as a baseline expectation due to external factors beyond their control such as the autoworker strike, government shutdown, and higher borrowing costs.
Despite threats such as a government shutdown, the UAW strike, rising gas prices, and the resumption of student loan repayments, economists are mostly unconcerned about a potential economic slowdown, believing the economy to be internally robust but vulnerable to mistakes.
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.
The US economy may struggle to achieve a "soft landing" with low inflation and low unemployment due to several economic uncertainties and headwinds, including toughened lending standards and the resumption of student loan payments, according to experts.
The Federal Reserve's forecast for the U.S. economy shows that while inflation and unemployment are close to their goals, economic growth will remain weak, primarily due to low labor productivity.
The US economy is performing better than expected in the midst of pressure from the BRICS alliance, with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan predicting a soft landing but cautioning that inflation remains a top concern.
The US economy may be on the brink of a recession due to a combination of factors including the impact of Fed hikes, auto strikes, student loan repayments, higher oil prices, and a global economic slowdown.
The US economy needs to see a weaker labor force and weaker economic data in order to see inflation get down to 2% and for the bond market to soften.
The Federal Reserve is in a better position to deliver a soft landing for the U.S. economy due to facing different problems compared to the 2007-2008 financial crisis, according to F/m Investments CIO and President Alex Morris.
The U.S. economy is showing mixed indicators, with rising interest rates, high inflation, and increased consumer spending, leading economists to question whether a recession is on the horizon.
Some Federal Reserve officials are optimistic about finding a monetary policy that lowers inflation to their 2% target without causing high unemployment, but there are risks that could push the Fed onto a more familiar path of an economy struggling with rising borrowing costs and waning confidence.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem states that the economy is not heading for a serious recession and is looking for signs of easing inflation ahead of a rate decision on October 25th.