When Will The US Economy Recover? Fed, Experts Provide Insight Into Potential Growth
The U.S. economy has grown at a “slight to modest” pace this fall, according to the latest Beige Book report released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve. The report suggests that the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic may be slowing down, as the nation experiences a second wave of the virus.
“Changes in activity varied greatly by sector,” the report said. “Economic activity continued to increase across all districts, with the pace of growth characterized as slight to modest in most districts.”
The report found that manufacturing, residential housing and banking were three sectors experiencing growth. Consumer spending and commercial real estate, on the other hand, are struggling to recover.
The Beige Book is a collection of comments from business owners around the country. The anecdotes were collected in the Fed’s 12 districts from September through Oct. 9.
Federal Reserve Gov. Lael Brainard on Wednesday called for more fiscal stimulus from Congress. Top congressional leaders and the Trump administration are still negotiating on further relief for the economy.
“The recovery remains highly uncertain and highly uneven — with certain sectors and groups experiencing substantial hardship. These disparities risk holding back the recovery,” Brainard told the Society of Professional Economists. “Further targeted fiscal support will be needed alongside accommodative monetary policy to turn this K-shaped recovery into a broad-based and inclusive recovery.”
Morgan Stanley has also warned that fiscal stimulus would be needed to buoy the economy.
“Strong underlying momentum can likely carry the economy for a bit longer, but ultimately the recovery would slow,” Morgan Stanley economist Ellen Zentner recently told the Wall Street Journal.
There have been other signs that the economy may be slowing down. Only 661,000 jobs were added in September, the smallest monthly job gain since May.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.