While the economy is moving throughout the second half of 2009, it looks highly probably that sooner than later this year , the NBER will call for the end of the USA economy recession(chart Nº 2. Source http://forecast.org/) ) . Based on recent data (exports recovery, slight decrease in unemployment compensations claims , profit level in some key sectors, revival of the financial sector, prices expected performance ) the USA economy should already be close to the bottom up point .
Given the fact that the recovery is at sight ,there are some question which markets are worry about: The path of the recovery.-
Let try to go deeper into what it might be that path, to foresee its strength and weakness.
a.- It seems that at least in the beginning of the recovery, employment/output elasticity will be low .Thus, although output will start to move to positive territory, in the second half of this year, employment will follow but with some lag . Later on, probably within the first half of the year 2010, employment gains will start to be stronger and sustainable.-
b.- It will not be a consumer driven recovery, therefore it will be a recovery , with a weak start although with a stronger pace in the months after . Investment and firms will take the lead, as long as global economy will demand capital equipment , necessary to sustain the next cycle of global economy expansion. Besides, Banks with higher risk aversion than before , will be more selective to build up theirs portfolio, which will works against consumers considered riskier at this moment .
c.- Foreign demand (chart Nº 3) rather than domestic demand will the engine main of this recovery .This does not mean that domestic demand will stay away for quite a while but , the pace of its own recovery will be slower, manly due to the weak labor market conditions which affect the expectation of the stability of income levels, and the level of private debt which consumer must take care of, before starting again to go shopping .-
d.- The inflationary expectations (chart Nº1)and the Central Bank exit strategy, will have a key role to shape the strength of the recovery. It might be the case that, the next recession although milder than the current one , might be waiting just around the corner. However, the pace of inflation (http://forecasts.org/ ) do not seems to be a threat , therefore there is room for a smooth exit strategy .-
e.- The Developing Asia area (China and India) growing at 5,5% this year and 7% next year (http://www.imf.org/ , July 2009 forecast) , will keep the pace of global economy recovery such as not to lose momentum.-
