Inflation is cooling and interest rates are expected to begin falling in the second half of the year, but other issues persist, Anirban Basu, chief economist for the Associated Builders and Contractors, said in a July 10 midyear economic update webinar presentation.
“A lot of people thought recession was inevitable last year. It didn’t happen,” said Basu. “[But] I still believe there’s a chance for a very mild recession in 2025.”Basu points to rising consumer debt and the uncertainty of the upcoming election among the challenges the economy is currently facing.
Total non-residential construction spending rose 37%, not adjusted for inflation, during the period between the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020 and May 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “This is still the era of the megaproject,” said Basu, in response to the staggering 198.1% increase in the manufacturing sector. The hotel sector continues to sit at the bottom of the list, falling at a rate of 30.5%.
Nearly half of webinar participants reported in a survey that the labor shortage is the most pressing issue within their firms at the moment. In a later poll, 29% indicated they expect their companies’ profit margin to be slightly lower a year from now.
Basu predicts that interest rates will begin to decline in September, with an additional rate cut by the Federal Reserve in December likely. Still, he notes, the cuts won’t have an immediate effect on the economy “because of signed contracts or executed current work” and there will be a lag before the positive effects are felt.
While many economists have abandoned the idea of a recession in the near term, Basu continues to expect one. “It will come nearly a year after I initially anticipated, but recession is coming.”
Alisa Zevin is the economics editor for Engineering News-Record, covering economic issues within the construction industry, including construction economics and ENR's quarterly cost reports. She is based in New York City.
FAQs
“A lot of people thought recession was inevitable last year. It didn't happen,” said Basu. “[But] I still believe there's a chance for a very mild recession in 2025.” Basu points to rising consumer debt and the uncertainty of the upcoming election among the challenges the economy is currently facing.
Is there going to be a recession in 2025? ›
Global recession outlook
There is now a 35% chance that the global economy will enter a recession by the end of 2024, and a 45% chance that it will do so by the end of 2025.
What are economists saying about recession? ›
Despite concerns of mounting risks, most economists believe the probability of a recession remains small, with Goldman Sachs noting that "continued expansion is far more likely than recession."
Is the US in recession in 2024? ›
US economic recession. Though the stock markets and all economic indicators in the world's largest economy point to a rosy picture, however, many analysts and investors are pointing to an impending recession that could hit the United States in 2025 if not 2024.
Is the US going into a recession? ›
FAQs: Is the United States on the verge of a recession? The United States is currently looking at an impending recession, and the jerks of it can already be felt in the stock markets, as well as the national economy.
Will inflation get worse in 2025? ›
"Rising local shelter costs are making recent data difficult to interpret." The U-M forecast called for annual local inflation to slow to 3.8% in 2024 and 3.2% in 2025, before finally dipping to 2.5% in 2026.
How to prepare for a recession? ›
How to prepare yourself for a recession
- Reassess your budget every month. ...
- Contribute more toward your emergency fund. ...
- Focus on paying off high-interest debt accounts. ...
- Keep up with your usual contributions. ...
- Evaluate your investment choices. ...
- Build up skills on your resume. ...
- Brainstorm innovative ways to make extra cash.
Is the US bank in trouble? ›
CFPB Orders U.S. Bank to Pay $21 Million for Illegal Conduct During COVID-19 Pandemic. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today ordered U.S. Bank to pay nearly $21 million for keeping out-of-work consumers from accessing unemployment benefits at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When was the last recession in the US? ›
It is considered the most significant downturn since the Great Depression in the 1930s. The term “Great Recession” applies to both the U.S. recession, officially lasting from December 2007 to June 2009, and the ensuing global recession in 2009.
Is Bank of America predicting a recession? ›
"Bank of America Research does not have any recession predicted anymore," Moynihan told CBS' "Face the Nation."
Lower prices: With fewer buyers who can afford the purchase, home sellers will likely no longer see multiple offers or bidding wars for their properties. This can lead to lower home prices. Lower rates: During a recession, the Federal Reserve will often lower interest rates to stimulate the economy.
Is Germany in recession? ›
Following a recession in 2023, economic activity in Germany is expected to stagnate in 2024. Domestic demand is set to pick up slowly in 2024 and 2025, as real wage growth resumes. However, investment is projected to remain well below pre-pandemic levels, constrained by continued high financing costs.
Where is the US economy headed? ›
Real GDP is expected to rise by 2.4 percent year-over-year in 2024. Nonetheless, the economy is expected to lose momentum in H2 2024 as high prices and elevated interest rates sap domestic demand.
How many years will recession last? ›
They typically last about a year and often result in a significant output cost. In particular, a recession is usually associated with a decline of 2 percent in GDP. In the case of severe recessions, the typical output cost is close to 5 percent.
What happens during a recession? ›
What happens in a recession? During periods of recession, companies make fewer sales, and economic growth stalls or becomes nonexistent. To cut rising costs, organizations may be forced to lay off large portions of their staff, resulting in widespread unemployment.
When was the last US recession? ›
2007– The 2007-09 economic crisis was deep and protracted enough to become known as "the Great Recession" and was followed by what was, by some measures, a long but unusually slow recovery.
What is the economic outlook for 2024? ›
Global growth is projected to be in line with the April 2024 World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast, at 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025. Services inflation is holding up progress on disinflation, which is complicating monetary policy normalization.