On the other hand, the five worst recessions since 1850 have averaged 40 months in length. If this recession plays out in a manner more consistent with one of the worst five since 1850, look for the economy to bottom in late 2010 or early 2011.
So which is it... Q3 2009 or Q1 2011? In general, it is just one big guessing game. As the WSJ details, only one "top economist" in their 2008 survey predicted GDP would contract in 2008, so how can we expect them (or anyone) to know exactly when the economy will turn.
The bulk of prognosticators were pessimistic going into 2008, but they weren't pessimistic enough. The economy would slow, they thought, but only Mr. Hatzius thought it would contract. He also foresaw a steep increase in the unemployment rate, moderate inflation and a Federal Reserve that would be busy cutting rates.Source: NBER
I'm more concerned about the point at which the rate at which global and domestic economic data has been deteriorating begins to decelerate. If the concern is when equity or debt markets "bottom" then it will happen when things stop getting worse, ahead of when growth actually returns. I think 4Q09 seems like a fair candidate for data to begin to decelerate. Ultimately, the developments in Eastern Europe over the next few weeks/months will probably prove that time-frame reasonable or otherwise not.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should "look for the economy to bottom in late 2010 or early 2011". The evidence for this will appear just in time for the 2012 election and prove that Obama is our savior.
ReplyDeleteI think we have not seen the bottom until at least one small'ish country goest tits-up - Pakistan unravels f.ex. or Ireland defaults.
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