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By David W. Berson, Ph.D.

Just before the events of the previous week (Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB), Signature Bank (SBNY), and so forth.), my view of the most probably course for the economy was as follows:

  • Continued modest financial development into about mid-year.
  • The anticipated recession is now much more probably and will almost certainly happen sooner (not right away, but maybe by mid-year).
  • The downturn may possibly be much more serious than previously anticipated, offered the stresses in the banking technique.
  • As the economy slows sooner, inflation may possibly move reduce sooner, as effectively. Absolutely, a deeper financial downturn is probably to bring inflation down by much more.
  • Provided this outlook, the Fed is probably to tighten only 1 much more time, at the March 21-22 FOMC meeting. It is definitely attainable that there will be no tightening at that meeting, but offered nevertheless fast inflation and continued financial development, a 25-basis-point move is much more probably. But that is almost certainly all the tightening that the Fed will do in this cycle. As a outcome, the peak fed funds price will either be at the present four.50-four.75 % variety, or slightly larger at four.75-five.00 %. It is generally a coin flip at this point.
  • With a downturn beginning sooner than previously anticipated (and maybe getting much more serious, as effectively) and inflation moving reduce much more immediately, the odds of Fed easing later this year are meaningful.
  • Baseline situation: The 2023 recession ends by the start off of subsequent year, with a reduce level of interest prices and a positively shaped yield curve. The finish of the downturn really should outcome in a strong year for financial development in 2024, with reduce inflation close to the Fed’s lengthy-term target. This would be a good outcome for equity markets subsequent year. Subjective probability: 60 %.
  • Down situation: The recession is much more serious than anticipated, offered banking technique tension. The Fed is forced to ease sharply as a outcome, but inflation falls considerably by early subsequent year. Financial development really should resume by the middle of 2024. Even though this is a damaging situation for equity markets in the close to term, it is extremely good when the economy begins to develop once again. Subjective probability: 30 %.
  • Definitely negative situation: It is the 1970s all more than once again! The Fed is forced to ease sharply in response to recession and banking technique issues, but though inflation moves reduce, it by no means gets close to the Fed’s lengthy-term target ahead of Fed easing, and the pickup in the economy boosts inflation once again later subsequent year. Subjective probability: ten %.
  • By Editor