Will The US Economic Rebound Continue?

The US economy is growing again. The growth to date is largely due to the snap-back effect that followed a sudden, sharp decline in output, but recent data clearly show that the coronavirus recession has bottomed and a recovery is unfolding. The mystery is whether the recovery will persist. The primary reason for the mystery, of course, is the uncertainty linked to Covid-19.

Let’s start with the good news. Several key indicators have bounced back after devastating losses. Non-farm payrolls posted two strong monthly increases in May and June. Although the back-to-back gains were the highest on record (2.7 million and 4.8 million) for the data set, the increases only recover about a third of the losses for March and April. Nonetheless, the labor market appears to be making progress after the steepest job losses since the Great Depression.

Similarly upbeat numbers have been reported in other corners, including retail sales and manufacturing. Yesterday’s sentiment data for the services sector joined the list of rebounding indicators: The ISM Non-Manufacturing Index rose sharply in June, reflecting a solid pace of growth and suggesting that the recession for this key sector ended last month.

Measuring the broad trend of economic activity through the Philly Fed’s multi-indicator ADS Index also shows a strong pace of recovery. Indeed, the bounce in the ADS is nothing less than extraordinary (based on the current revision through July 2.

On initial review, it appears that the ADS-defined recovery is unprecedented and in some respects that’s true. But the unusually dramatic rebound for this index is largely a function of the spectacular decline that preceded the current recovery. Keep in mind, too, that ADS revisions can swing widely and so the weeks ahead may reveal a different story.

The initial bounce in the ADS and other indicators, however, is also misleading since the latest rate of growth is destined to normalize. The path of that normalization will, for the foreseeable future, be primarily if not exclusively determined by progress (or the lack thereof) on containing, managing and treating the coronavirus.

On that front, the critical factor is developing and distributing a vaccine. Recent news in this corner is encouraging, but as White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci advised yesterday: a vaccine’s efficacy may be short-lived. “It’s not going to be like a measles vaccine,” he said. “So there’s going to be follow up in those cases to see if we need a boost. We may need a boost to continue the protection. But right now we do not know how long it lasts.”

There’s also uncertainty about the arrival of a vaccine, or even if an effective one will be developed.

Meantime, the progress in managing the spread of Covid-19 in the US has been fading in recent weeks as the number of reported cases surge. A month ago, the daily change in a number of cases fell below 20,000 at one point but has since rebounded sharply, hovering around the 50,000-per-day mark in recent days, based on data from Johns Hopkins University.

Fortunately, there’s been no commensurate rise in the daily change in Covid-19 fatalities. But it’s unclear if the number of deaths will soon rise vs. another explanation that’s more encouraging.

As for the economic outlook, the July and August profiles will be crucial tests for deciding if the rebound marks an end to the coronavirus recession. The alternative possibility: the latest gains are temporary in a downturn that will roll on in some degree for the foreseeable future.

In fact, another real-time economic index offers a sharp contrast to the upbeat profile via the ADS Index. The New York Fed’s Weekly Economic Index has bounced recently, but according to this gauge, the recovery looks dramatically weaker relative to the results for the ADS numbers.

Considering both business cycle indexes together suggests that economic risk remains elevated. Perhaps not surprisingly, that’s the message from Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Fed. He offered a cautionary outlook yesterday, suggesting that it’s premature to issue the all-clear signal for the economy.

“There are a couple of things that we are seeing and some of them are troubling and might suggest that the trajectory of this recovery is going to be a bit bumpier than it might otherwise,” he said. “We’re watching this very closely, trying to understand exactly what’s happening.”

Disclosure: None.

How did you like this article? Let us know so we can better customize your reading experience.

Comments

Leave a comment to automatically be entered into our contest to win a free Echo Show.
Or Sign in with
Moon Kil Woong 4 years ago Contributor's comment

It seems like the first wave won't end while #Trump is around. That said, what we are seeing is a migration from small business to larger businesses on an unprecedented scale. The economy is not healthy, however, it makes sense there is a mass rush to anything that grows or sustains itself. Be careful of basing things on past performance. Things like #Facebook ($FB) may not ride the growth wave as suspected from here on out.

Wall Street Wiz 4 years ago Member's comment

I think you are right, but the question is, will Trump be elected to a second term? I thought for sure his massively bungled response to COVID-19 would ensure a landslide loss. But his popularity hasn't seemed to dip at all among his base, even though he's literally encouraging people to put themselves at risk and is getting people killed!

Noah Pomerance 4 years ago Member's comment

In your opinion, what will the effects of a second wave do to the overall economic resurgence? Will it drop to its previous low?

Michele Grant 4 years ago Member's comment

Why are you talking about a 2nd wave when the first wave never ended?

Flat Broke 4 years ago Member's comment

True. In fact Anthony Fauci just said today on SiriusXM radio:

"People ask about, 'Are we concerned about a second wave?' And I keep telling people, 'What are you talking about a second wave? We are actually knee-deep in the first wave.' We've never really gotten out of it."

God help us all!

Andrew Armstrong 4 years ago Member's comment

From what I've read, people thing it will be worse.

Jeremy Schmeltz 4 years ago Member's comment

Very well written! thanks

Old Time Investor 4 years ago Member's comment

Agreed.

Pierre G Hermans 4 years ago Member's comment

at last someone with common sense

Angry Old Lady 4 years ago Member's comment

Lol, so true Pierre!

William K. 4 years ago Member's comment

OK, I agree that the recovery will continue, because what is the alternative? A growing collapse and the end of our present way of life? Total anarchy? Or possibly a return to the dark ages? Since none of those seem like they would be embraced by society, I favor recovery. But since this virus plague was not the cause, but rather a string of wrong moves by the banks and the federal government, said recovery will not be painless. We might suffer a recession, in which case my financial holdings will be worth only the paper they are printed on, or more likely,we will suffer inflation, in which case all my holdings may be able to buy one last meal. And all because poorly advised individuals choose only to look at today, forgetting that tomorrow will arrive fairly soon, one of the few dependable predictions that has been right every time, so far.