N※N

Health and Fitness
Source : (remove) : Parents
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Health and Fitness
Source : (remove) : Parents
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Is US economy still strong or starting to crack? This week will offer key clues

Is the US Economy Still a Powerhouse or Beginning to Falter? This Week's Data Could Provide Crucial Insights

As the world's largest economy navigates a delicate balance between robust growth and emerging vulnerabilities, investors, policymakers, and everyday Americans are all asking the same pressing question: Is the US economy still firing on all cylinders, or are cracks starting to appear that could signal a slowdown? Recent months have painted a mixed picture, with resilient consumer spending and a historically low unemployment rate clashing against signs of softening labor markets and persistent inflationary pressures. This week, a flurry of high-stakes economic indicators is set to offer pivotal clues, potentially shaping the Federal Reserve's next moves on interest rates and influencing global markets.

At the heart of the debate is the economy's remarkable endurance in the face of aggressive monetary tightening. Over the past two years, the Fed has hiked interest rates to their highest levels in decades, aiming to tame inflation that surged to multi-decade highs following the pandemic. Yet, the US has largely avoided a recession, defying predictions from many economists who anticipated a downturn. Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an annualized rate of 3% in the second quarter, driven by strong consumer outlays on everything from travel to dining out. The stock market has reflected this optimism, with major indices like the S&P 500 hovering near record highs, buoyed by tech giants and AI-driven enthusiasm.

However, beneath this veneer of strength, warning signs are emerging. Job growth, while still positive, has slowed considerably. In recent months, nonfarm payrolls have averaged around 150,000 new jobs per month—down from the blistering pace of over 300,000 seen earlier in the recovery. The unemployment rate, though low at 3.8%, has ticked up slightly, raising concerns about whether the labor market is cooling too quickly. Inflation, meanwhile, remains stubborn. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has moderated from its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022 but is still above the Fed's 2% target, clocking in at around 3.7% year-over-year. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, has been even stickier, prompting fears that price pressures could reaccelerate if the economy overheats.

This week's data releases are poised to either reinforce the narrative of resilience or amplify anxieties about a potential crack-up. Kicking things off is the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing survey, expected to show whether factory activity is contracting or stabilizing. Manufacturing has been a weak spot for the economy, with the ISM index lingering in contraction territory for much of the past year amid supply chain disruptions and softening global demand. A reading below 50 would signal ongoing contraction, potentially dragging on overall growth, while an uptick could suggest a rebound fueled by improving export markets or domestic investments in infrastructure.

Following closely is the ISM services index, which covers the dominant non-manufacturing sector that accounts for about 70% of US economic activity. Services have been a bright spot, with robust hiring in healthcare, leisure, and hospitality propping up the broader economy. Economists are forecasting a slight dip but still expansionary territory above 50. Any significant shortfall here could indicate that the slowdown in goods production is spilling over into services, a scenario that would heighten recession risks.

Midweek brings the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), a key gauge of labor market health. This report details the number of job vacancies, hires, and quits, offering insights into worker confidence and employer demand. Vacancies have been declining from their pandemic highs, but a sharp drop could signal that businesses are pulling back on expansion plans amid higher borrowing costs. The quits rate, often seen as a barometer of wage pressures, has also moderated, which might ease inflation concerns but also point to waning bargaining power for workers.

Private payroll data from ADP will provide an early glimpse into hiring trends before the government's blockbuster monthly jobs report. Expectations are for around 150,000 new private-sector jobs, aligning with the recent slowdown. If the figure comes in weaker, it could fuel speculation that the Fed's rate hikes are finally biting harder than anticipated, perhaps prompting calls for earlier rate cuts.

The week's climax arrives with the official nonfarm payrolls report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consensus forecasts predict about 170,000 jobs added, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 3.8%. Average hourly earnings are expected to rise by 0.3% month-over-month, translating to a 4.1% annual increase—still above the pace consistent with the Fed's inflation target. A hotter-than-expected report could dash hopes for imminent rate relief, as it would suggest the economy remains too strong for the Fed to pivot toward easing. Conversely, a miss on job gains or an unexpected rise in unemployment could stoke fears of a hard landing, where aggressive policy tightening tips the economy into recession.

Economists are divided on what these indicators might reveal. Some, like those at Goldman Sachs, argue that the economy is in a "soft landing" phase, where growth moderates without collapsing, allowing inflation to ease gradually. They point to healthy household balance sheets, bolstered by pandemic-era savings and rising home values, as buffers against higher rates. Others, including voices from JPMorgan Chase, warn of mounting risks, citing inverted yield curves—a traditional recession harbinger—and weakening corporate profits in sectors like retail and manufacturing.

The Federal Reserve itself is watching closely. Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized a data-dependent approach, signaling that while rates are likely at their peak, cuts aren't imminent unless inflation convincingly trends downward. Markets are pricing in a roughly 70% chance of a rate cut by March, but this week's data could swing those odds dramatically. Bond yields, which influence everything from mortgage rates to corporate borrowing, have already been volatile; the 10-year Treasury yield recently dipped below 4% on easing bets but could spike if jobs data surprises to the upside.

Beyond the labor market, other undercurrents are at play. Consumer confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, has improved but remains below pre-pandemic levels, with high prices for groceries and housing weighing on sentiment. The housing market, hammered by elevated mortgage rates, has seen sales plummet, though prices remain elevated due to low inventory. Manufacturing woes are compounded by global factors, including Europe's energy crisis and China's uneven recovery, which could dampen US exports.

In the broader context, this week's clues arrive amid geopolitical tensions, from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to US-China trade frictions, all of which could exacerbate supply chain vulnerabilities. Domestically, fiscal policy adds another layer: The government's massive deficit spending has supported growth but raised long-term debt concerns, potentially limiting future stimulus options.

Ultimately, the US economy's trajectory hinges on whether these indicators confirm a controlled deceleration or hint at deeper fractures. A resilient showing could embolden the Fed to maintain its "higher for longer" stance on rates, supporting the dollar and pressuring emerging markets. But evidence of cracking—such as accelerating job losses or contracting services—might force a policy rethink, with implications for everything from Wall Street portfolios to Main Street mortgages.

As we await these releases, one thing is clear: The US economy, long the envy of the world for its dynamism, is at a crossroads. This week's data won't provide all the answers, but it will illuminate the path ahead, helping to determine if the current strength is sustainable or if adjustments are needed to avert a more painful downturn. Investors would do well to buckle up, as volatility could ensue regardless of the outcomes. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full moneycontrol.com Article at:
[ https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/is-us-economy-still-strong-or-starting-to-crack-this-week-will-offer-key-clues-article-13342651.html ]