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Economic Weekly Review 13July2012: Recession, Recession, Recession 6 comments
There was little news in the economic data, but the real noise is the recession saber rattling. To date, we have ECRI, John Hussman, and Mish (amongst others) claiming we are currently in a recession. Except for ECRI, I think the basis of the claim is weak because they are using the same data sets I use (but in different ways). ECRI is another story.
Lakshman and I have had discussions off and on since 2008. Their recession call I take seriously, even though I believe the data says otherwise as they use other data than I use. They are not opinion driven, nor do they interject their opinion into the analysis - just give me the facts ma'am. I know others are jumping on ECRI, but I will not.
I do not believe we are in a recession based on definitions. HOWEVER, the economy sucks - and I believe we are in a depression just like the big one in the 1930's except that monetary and fiscal policy has covered it up. Further, at the swish of the old magic wand - the data we all use can be revised. [note: for the most part, Econintersect's economic projections are not based on government data sources, and are generally not subject to revision].
I do not believe that projections are infallible - either mine or ECRI's. As I believe we are in an unusual situation economically, historically provable projections may (or may not) be valid.
The Econintersect economic forecast for July 2012 shows continues to show moderate growth. Overall, trend lines seem to be stable even with the fireworks in Europe, and emotionally cannot help thinking this is the calm before the storm. There are no recession flags showing in any of the indicators Econintersect follows which have been shown to be economically intuitive. There is no whiff of recession in the hard data - even though certain surveys are at recession levels.
ECRI stated in September 2011 a recession was coming . Their data looks ahead at least 6 months and the bottom line for them is that a recession is a certainty. The size and depth is unknown but stated this week was already underway. A positive result is this pronouncement has caused much debate in economic cyberspace.
The ECRI WLI index value is tip-toeing in negative territory - but this week is again "less bad". The index is indicating the economy six month from today will be slightly worse than it is today. As shown on the graph below, this is not the first time since the end of the Great Recession that the WLI has been in negative territory.
Current ECRI WLI Index(click to enlarge)
Initial unemployment claims decreased from 374,000 (reported last week) to 350,000 this week. Historically, claims exceeding 400,000 per week usually occur when employment gains are less than the workforce growth, resulting in an increasing unemployment rate (background here and here). The real gauge - the 4 week moving average - declined from 385,750 (reported last week) to 376,500. Because of the noise (week-to-week movements from abnormal events AND the backward revisions to previous weeks releases), the 4-week average remains the reliable gauge.
Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims - 4 Week Average - Seasonally Adjusted - 2010 (blue line), 2011 (red line), 2012 (green line)(click to enlarge)
Data released this week which contained economically intuitive components (forward looking) were
All other data released this week does not have enough historical correlation to the economy to be considered intuitive.
Weekly Economic Release Scorecard:June 2012 Export Import Price Index
Preliminary July 2012 Michigan Consumer Sentiment
June 2012 Producer Price Index Continues to Show Little Inflation
American Dreams: Over Sold and Over Bought!
Initial Unemployment Claims: Mainstream Reports are False and Absurd
ETF: War of the Goliaths
The New World Order: It Has Been Established, Secretly
China: GDP Growth Slips to 7.6%
Lithium Ion Battery: Struggles to Reach Economies of Scale
Is the Stock Market Ready to Rally?
Recession is not Imminent
Fiscal Cliff Notes: The Certainty of Debt and Taxes
June 2012 FOMC Minutes: More Potential for Slower Growth Seen
Eurozone: Heading Toward 22 Million Unemployed
Public Employment: This Time IS Different
Financial Fraudster Hall of Fame
Wholesale Sales May 2012 Unadjusted Data Looks Fairly Good
May 2012 Trade Data: Although Imports Fell Slightly, Data Good
May 2012 JOLTS Continues to Predict Positive Employment Dynamics
Spain: Save the Royalty, Sacrifice the Peasants
China's Macroeconomic Miracle: Kleptocracy
ECRI: Recession Has Begun
Week in Review: 09 July 2012
Teen Summer Hiring on Track to Exceed Previous Growth Records
A Brief History of Money
Barclays LIBOR Scandal: The Fed Knew WHEN?
June 2012 Small Business: Index Drop Nearly Wipes Out Gains this Year
Seven Reasons to Sell Stocks Short
National Democratic Party, or How the Democrats Lost Their Way
China: Prices Falling Off a Cliff, Trade Balance Unexpectedly Positive
Consumer Credit May 2012: A Very Positive Data Point Economically
Online Security: Losses Are Tens Of Billions Of Dollars
June 2012 Employment Trends Declines: Employment Is Hard to Trend Anyway
What economists need to know about the modern money creation process
MMT, The Euro and The Greatest Prediction of the Last 20 Years
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Insider Trading 06 July 2012: Insiders Selling 11.6 Times More Stock than Buying Stock
Disastrous Weather Patterns Are Sweeping the Globe, More Signs of Global Warming?
Roubini: Next Time Will Be Different
The Week Ahead: All About Earnings
Analyzing a Week That Was No Fourth of July Celebration
ECB Policy for a Liquidity Trap: Firing Bullets in the Dark?
June 2012 Rail Movements: A Good Month
Global Innovation: U.S. Is Middle of the Pack
Bankruptcy this Week: Dynegy Inc., Patriot Coal, Valence Technology, Ocala Funding, Peregrine Financial Group
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
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This post has 6 comments:
sentiment indicator..it has been below its 9 month moving average
since June 2011.
The only problem remaining is to say when. ECRI (and others mentioned by Steve) say starting now. We say not just yet. Based on historical frequency, a recession must be considered a certainty sometime between 2012 and 2015. When it arrives everybody will say they called it!!!!!
I dont know how and I dont know when but I am certain, sooner or later a recession is certain and I am certain that when it does finally arrive certain people will say they called it for certain that is for certain.
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