fbpx

The must have economic report for your crystal ball

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you want to know what’s up with the economy, circle your calendar for Feb. 1, says economist Mark Vitner of Wells Fargo.

That’s when the next Institute for Supply Management monthly survey will be released. It’s the first key economic survey of the month and takes the pulse of manufacturing and logistics. Vitner once heard former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan say that if he was stranded on a desert island and could only get one economic indicator, that would be the one. (Greenspan also quipped that if he was stranded on a desert island that worrying about the economy wouldn’t be his first priority.)

Unfortunately, the ISM survey for December was down 5.2 percentage points to a reading of 54 went when it was released at the beginning of January. The indicator is important because manufacturing and logistics account for two-thirds of the swing in a changing GDP, Vitner said during the 2019 NAIOP Economic Outlook at the Westin Fort Lauderdale in Cypress Creek.

If the reading falls below 50 that could set off alarm bells at the Fed and cause an inverted yield curve, where longer-term debt has lower interest rates that shorter term debt of the same quality. An inverted yield curve indicates the bond market views rates as out of wack and anticipates a drop in short-term rates. An inverted yield curve and a bad ISM report could prompt the Fed to actually reduce rates, Vitner says.

Vitner points out how a drop in the ISM index was followed by a drop in the Federal Funds rate during the Great Recession

Vitner, who is managing director and senior economist for Wells Fargo Securities and Wells Fargo Co., was accompanied on the panel by Scott J. Brown, senior vice president and senior VP at Raymond James, and Mark Troen, senior vice president at Brookwood Group, which offers development and investment advisory services.

Troen sees possible danger in 2020 as well. The economic boom cycle is in  record setting territory for its length. In real estate, there’s already a  shift toward value added deals rather than lengthy development deals, he says.

Troen isn’t sure what the recession trigger might be, but said the government shutdown, trade dispute, flagging consumer confidence and a slowdown in home sales could have a cumulative impact.

Brown said the odds of a recession don’t depend on the length of the economic cycle, but are predicated by imbalances such as over investment. “One of the questions is, ‘Can we talk ourselves into a recession?'” he said. The most recent University of Michigan measure of consumer sentiment was down 7.7 percent to a reading of 90.7 in January. However, consumers don’t spend sentiment, they spend income, he noted. Tax refunds and lower gas prices may help with spending. Businesses have also been relatively disciplined during the boom when it comes to capital spending and new hires, so that doesn’t seem to be an imbalance.

Vitner expects 2 percent growth in 2020 without a recession. He also said an economic imbalance typically leads to a rush for the exit and a recession, but he doesn’t see one right now.

The financial markets aren’t expecting much of a trade agreement with China, but Vitner think the Chinese have already offered more than the market is expecting. An agreement to reopen the government would be market friendly as well.

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

You May Also Like
Navigating Tax Changes

The estate exemption will be going back to previous levels.

Read More
Tax Changes
Banesco USA Achieves Landmark Achievement With Assets Exceeding $4 Billion

The community bank has seven locations between South Florida and Puerto Rico.

Read More
Banesco USA
Stephanie Green at the Forefront of Fifth Third Bank’s Rapid Growth in South Florida

JD Power ranks it as the top bank in Florida for customer satisfaction.

Read More
Stephanie Green
City National Bank of Florida Introduces National Capital Markets Group

It will offer capabilities in the capital market by providing structured financial solutions.

Read More
Capital Markets Group
Other Posts
Hilton West Palm Beach Introduces Exclusive Dining Specials

Diners can experience a prix fixe dinner.

Read More
Hilton West Palm Beach
Discover the Charm of Mallorca: An Increasingly Popular Destination for South Floridians

The area offers one-stop connections by several airlines from Miami International Airport. 

Read More
Mallorca
Diplomat Beach Resort Plans to Rebrand as Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort

Many celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minelli and Jay Leno, have all frequented the property over the years.

Read More
Diplomat Beach Resort
A Night for the Queens Aims to Support Breast Cancer Survivors

The event will make a lasting difference in the lives of young breast cancer patients.

Read More
Boobie Queens

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.