The question at the forefront of investors’ minds is whether the economy can achieve a so-called “soft landing” in the face of high inflation, rising interest rates, Fed rate hikes, geopolitical conflicts, and other challenges. A soft landing would require the economy to slow gradually without creating a downward spiral in consumer demand and business investment. While the market correction this year has created a challenging investment environment, a recession is possible but not inevitable. What market and economic measures should long-term investors focus on in the coming months?
First, it’s important to define the term “recession.” When many investors think of a recession, what comes to mind is a historic market and economic crash like the ones experienced during the pandemic shutdown of 2020, the global financial crisis of 2008, or the dot com bust of the early 2000s. These weren’t just bad months or quarters – these were periods when the entire financial system was called into question.
While events like these are always theoretically possible, they are the exception rather than the rule. The problem occurs when investors worry about them at the expense of long-term growth. History shows that doing so is not only unnecessary but counterproductive. For example, during the bull market from 2009 to 2020, investors constantly worried about another financial crisis. Staying invested in a diversified portfolio built to withstand market uncertainty would have been the much better approach.
Instead, a more useful definition of “recession” is simply a temporary decline in economic activity. Prior to the 1990s, there were many short recessions that occurred on a regular basis. These were nothing more than periods Businesses continue to hire at a rapid pace Sources: Clearnomics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2 What the Strong Job Market Means for Recession Risk of adjustment that reallocated resources within the economy. While there is a real consequence to individuals and businesses, these periods are necessary to move precious economic resources and capital away from unproductive areas to where they can be most valuable. In other words, recessions are a natural part of the business cycle and help sow the seeds of future growth.
Today, an important consideration is that the economy did shrink in the first quarter by 1.5% compared to the end of last year, based on official measures of gross domestic product. Thus, it’s possible for there to be a “technical recession” – that is, two consecutive negative quarters. However, a slowing of the economy, and possibly shrinking by a percent or two, is far different from what many consider to be a recession. Additionally, many other measures of the economy suggest that consumers and businesses are still doing quite well, despite rising prices. The National Bureau of Economic Research, the official organization that determines recession dates, looks at a variety of economic factors and not just at GDP.
Specifically, last month’s jobs report showed that the economy added 390,000 new jobs in May, exceeding what economists had expected. In total, more than 95% of the jobs lost during the pandemic downturn have been recovered, including in hard-hit industries leisure and hospitality. This monthly gain is also well above the historical average of 148,000 per month over the past ten years. This has kept unemployment at 3.6%, one of the lowest levels in history, and near prepandemic lows.
The data also show that businesses continue to hire too. Job openings still far outpace available workers by 5.5 million, a historic level. The problem is not whether businesses want to hire – it’s whether they can find qualified workers. Individuals are also quitting their jobs at an above-average pace, a sign that the “great resignation” is continuing. While all of this could change if inflation deeply impacts sales and profits, there are also signs that businesses are successfully passing costs onto customers and sharing gains with workers. Hourly wages of production workers rose 6.5% on a year-over-year basis in May, one of the largest gains on record. All told, workers and the average consumer are in a strong position. Thus, the trends suggest that a deep economic downturn is not inevitable. Even were a recession to occur, it could look very different from those of the past twenty years.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in Amplify Funds statutory and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 855-267-3837 or by visiting AmplifyETFs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.