Is the US in a Recession Yet? What You Need To Know and How To Prepare
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Gross domestic product declined unexpectedly for the second straight quarter, increasing the odds of a recession this year. The data came one day after the Fed announced a jumbo interest rate hike for the second month in a row.
For many, just the thought of a recession conjures bad memories of the 2008 crisis and fuels fears about job losses. Now, raging inflation, aggressive action from the Fed and a volatile stock market are combining to create the next round of trouble.
A Bloomberg survey of economists found that the probability of a recession in the next 12 months is almost 50%, but many households and businesses feel like it’s already here. Wells Fargo Investment Institute says that’s a correct assumption.
“There’s a lot of conversation around if we’re already in a recession,” said Lauren Goodwin, economist and portfolio strategist at New York Life Investments. “The official data on a recession may be a lagging indicator. That’s not necessarily helpful for people making decisions right now in their day-to-day lives and their investments.”
Here’s what you need to know about recessions and how to prepare:
What’s a Recession?
The official definition varies. Some define a recession as two consecutive quarters in which output declines — which just happened. However, the National Bureau of Economic Research is technically in charge of declaring recessions, which it defines as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.”
The committee meets in secret and is comprised of economists and academics, or “eggheads,” according to one past member. It usually takes them about a year to decide on a recession call.
The length of a recession can vary widely. For instance, the pandemic-fueled recession in 2020 lasted only two months, while the Great Recession went on for about 18 months.
Are We In One?
It depends who you ask. Most economists say not yet, despite the two consecutive quarters of declining GDP.
Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, says the continued strength of the job market complicates the picture. The US added more jobs in June than expected, and applications for US unemployment insurance just fell for the first time in four weeks.
Plus, consumer spending is holding up overall, although many people are shifting their shopping habits.
President Joe Biden has said that “we’re not going to be in a recession,” with administration officials arguing that the economic landscape is complicated by supply-chain issues and volatile commodity prices.
Can It Be Avoided?
It’s possible, although unlikely. To fight inflation, the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates, with the goal of cooling the economy just the right amount to orchestrate a so-called “soft landing.” The central bank just increased rates by 75 basis points for the second straight month.
The risk is that the hikes reduce consumer demand too much, leading to a reduction in corporate profits and job losses. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in late June that achieving that perfect balance will be “very challenging.”
There’s also a powerful psychological effect at work. If consumers think the country is in a recession or soon to be, they might curtail spending, which hurts the economy. It’s a real risk considering that more than half of Americans believe the US is currently in a recession, according to an Economist/YouGov Poll. Surging inflation — consumer prices rose 9.1% in June from a year earlier — could also lead people to buy less.
Unlike the last recession, social media is a dominant force in Americans’ lives and often where they express their recession fears, said Shaun Maslyk, a certified financial planner and host of “The Most Hated F Word,” a podcast about personal finance.
“That can exacerbate the problem because fear and anxiety take over,” he said.
Will I Get Fired?
Right now, the job market is still strong. In June, employers added 372,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate is currently at only 3.6%. There are pockets of weakness, but they're mostly concentrated in the tech sector, where companies have seen rapid plunges in their stock prices. Cryptocurrency firms like Coinbase Global Inc. and Gemini Trust Co. are also cutting jobs.
For those concerned about layoffs, try to build up emergency savings of least three to six months of living expenses, experts say. If you do experience a job loss, remember you have options — there are still lots of openings.
“Most workers who are losing jobs are finding new ones quickly,” said Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank in Dallas.
What Else Can I Do?
The most common advice from financial experts: Don’t panic. Now is not the time to make drastic decisions or put all your investments in cash, especially considering the high rate of inflation, Goodwin said.
However, it is good to consider your risk tolerance and make sure you’re diversified. Goodwin likes areas such as municipal bonds or value stocks, which are inexpensive relative to earnings. US Series I savings bonds are also popular right now, since they offer a low-risk way to lock in an interest rate of 9.62%.
Noah Damsky, a financial planner at Marina Wealth Advisors, recommends some overall “belt tightening.” Cutting down on discretionary expenses and boosting savings is always a good idea, but especially so when a recession might be coming.
Bloomberg News provided this article. For more articles like this please visit bloomberg.com.
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