With all of today’s turmoil (the Gulf oil spill, Europe’s debt problem, consistently high unemployment rates) it’s no wonder economists have pondered whether or not we’re heading for Recession Part II.
- It seems that the possibility of a “double dip” recession, in which a recession is followed by a short recovery that slips into another recession, seems to have decreased slightly since last year.
- Several factors have influenced this positive change, namely that major U.S. companies have reported profit growth in the first quarter of 2010 and a $1 trillion bailout package has been approved been European leaders.
- But unemployment is still high, and that GDP growth is already slowing.
Facts & Figures
- Some believe the chance of a double dip recession is 20% now compared to 50% last year. Others says 25% now versus 30% last year.
- Unemployment is still up at 9. 7%.
- GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2009 was 5.6%, the highest in 6 years.
- Economists predict the growth rate will slow to 3% this year.
Best Quote
“One of the things to remember is conditions do not have to be perfect for the economy to grow, but there’s a limit to how much bad news this economy can take.” - Mark Vitner, Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Securities