The Economy In Pictures – Seen This Before

Last week, I gave a presentation discussing the current market environment and the economy. As I was preparing the slide presentation, I noted some concerning similarities to a presentation that I gave in 2007. At that time, I was regularly discussing the potential onset of an economic recession, and then like now, I was dismissed as being a “perma-bear.” There was no inverted yield curve, the vast majority of the media saw no recession in sight, and the Federal Reserve continued to tout a “Goldilocks” economy. Yet, a year later, it was quite evident. 

Currently, there is a plethora of commentary strongly suggesting that the U.S. economy is nowhere near recession currently. That may very well be the case, however, by the time the data is revised to reveal the recession it will be far too late for investors to do anything about it. The market, a coincident indicator of economic recessions historically, may already be revealing future economic data revisions will eventually disclose.

With the economy now more than 6-years into an expansion, which is long by historical standards, the question for you to answer by looking at the charts below is:

“Are we closer to an economic recession or a continued expansion?”

How you answer that question should have a significant impact on your investment outlook as financial markets tend to lose roughly 30% on average during recessionary periods.  However, with margin debt at record levels, earnings deteriorating and junk bond yields rising, this is hardly a normal market environment within which we are currently invested.

If you have any questions, or comments, you can email me or send me a tweet:  @lanceroberts

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Leading Economic Indicators

Durable Goods

Investment

ISM Composite Index

Employment & Industrial Production

Retail Sales

PCE & Imports

Corporate Profits As % Of GDP

The Broad View

If you are expecting an economic recovery, and a continuation of the bull market, then the economic data must begin to improve markedly in the months ahead. The problem has been that each bounce in the economic data has failed within the context of a declining trend. This is not a good thing and is why we continue to witness an erosion  in the growth rates of corporate earnings and profitability.  Eventually, that erosion combined, with excessive valuations, will weigh on the financial markets.

For the Federal Reserve, these charts make the case that continued monetary interventions are not healing the economy, but rather just keeping it afloat by dragging forward future consumption.  The problem now is the Fed has opted, by tightening monetary policy, to not “refill the punchbowl.” Eventually, when the drinks run out, the party comes to an end.

With the Fed hiking interest rates, and talking a tough game of continued economic strength, the risk of a “policy error” has risen markedly in recent months. The markets, falling inflation indicators, and plunging interest rates are all suggesting the same.

Lance Roberts

Lance Roberts is a Chief Portfolio Strategist/Economist for Clarity Financial. He is also the host of “The Lance Roberts Show” and Chief Editor of the “Real Investment Advice” website and author of “Real Investment Daily” blog and “Real Investment Report“. Follow Lance on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In