The economic dam is bursting and the economy is booming. Demand in the US was described as “very, very strong” and “phenomenal” thanks to strong consumer balance sheets and vaccinations. Supply chains are still disrupted and there are significant inflation pressures.
Covid cases are dropping, vaccines are being administered and warmer weather is coming. Fatigued consumers are ready to return to normal. We especially miss traveling.
Succinct Summary: The economy has had a strong but incomplete recovery. The worst seems to be over but there’s still a long way to go. For many industries, this looks like a K shaped recovery.
Editor’s Request: This weekly newsletter is made possible by donations from our readers. If you like what you are reading, click here to donate (Our suggested donation: $10 per month). Help us keep The Transcript going.
Succinct Summary: The economy has improved a lot since the bottom, and headline economic activity is nearing a full recovery. However, the recovery has not been shared equally. There have been a small number of big economic winners and a much larger number of economic losers from COVID. This will help keep the government pushing for more stimulus for a long time. In the past, this stimulus has tended to help the winners even more.
Editor’s Request: This weekly newsletter is made possible by donations from our readers. If you like what you are reading, click here to donate (Our suggested donation: $10 per month). Help us keep The Transcript going.
Succinct Summary: Big retailers posted staggering comps in the second quarter as consumers shift spending towards purchases for items used at home. Part of the strength was driven by stimulus but spending appears to have stayed strong in August even after the stimulus has waned. November’s elections are starting to shift into focus. And life may not get fully back to normal until 2022.
Editor’s Request: This weekly newsletter is made possible by donations from our readers. If you like what you are reading, click here to donate (Our suggested donation: $10 per month). Help us keep The Transcript going.
Succinct Summary: Demand continues to bounce back but there are signs that a second wave of Covid may be bubbling up.
Editor’s Request: This weekly newsletter is made possible by donations from our readers. If you like what you are reading, click here to donate (Our suggested donation: $10 per month). Help us keep The Transcript going.
A Personal Note: A lot has happened in the last two weeks we have been away. We start on a very positive note—warm congratulations to my co-author Scott Krisiloff and his wife on the birth of their beautiful twins this past week. On a different note, the challenge of racism has come to the forefront of global news. This week, we have a special section on quotes on the reactions from corporate management teams on the issued of racism. The bottom line is that we have a problem that needs fixing. I have also written a personal article about my experience of racism in Scandinavia. – Erick Mokaya
Succinct Summary: There are some glimmers of hope across such industries like airlines, travel and retail as demand picks up from the April lows. We are, however, being cautioned about being too excited and urged to be cautious. All in all, there is significant pent-up demand.
Succinct Summary: Companies are assessing the impact of the Coronavirus and the outlook so far is not good. There is real worry that the slowdown in China could result in a global slowdown.
Succinct Summary: The consumer continues to show strength with higher holiday spending. Business spending isn’t quite as strong though but companies, especially small businesses, are optimistic. As such, most CEOs don’t expect a recession in 2020. Historically, presidential election years are usually good for the stock market.
Succinct Summary: The economic expansion is now in its 11th year. The US consumer remains strong but business investment has been weak. A stat on the real effect of the trade war: Samsonite has taken its supply chain from 90% China production to 67 %, and is intent on reducing it further to 50%. Meanwhile, air flights and India are the final frontiers of the internet.