Back to top

Economic Outlook: Archive

John Blank

Inflation Risk... Much Ado About Nothing?

The U.S. economy's health is steadily recovering. We are seeing signs across various industries of revitalized demand by consumers.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

When Is the U.S. Economy Going to Recover from Covid-19?

The last few months we witnessed some early signs of a recovery. But it remains unclear.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

What Will Be the Main Economic Drivers in 2021?

With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, we are leaving behind us a plethora of events that affected and shaped our society and economy.

PFENegative Net Change MRNANegative Net Change BNTXNegative Net Change NDXPositive Net Change

John Blank

The Vaccines Are Here. Are We Out of the Woods Now?

It almost seems like we are just an appointment at the doctor's office away from opening up our economy again.

PFENegative Net Change MRNANegative Net Change BNTXNegative Net Change AZNNegative Net Change

John Blank

What's the 3rd Wave Going to Do to a U.S. Economic Recovery?

We might see a reinstatement of certain state lockdown measures across the country. And spillovers across state lines are very likely. The political will to impose tighter lockdown restrictions will be closely connected to the vacancies (or lack thereof) in hospitals. As lockdown restrictions will be considered the measure of last resort.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Presidential Election: How Important Is It to Your Portfolio?

While the coronavirus continues to take a toll on our social and economic activity, and the infections and death tolls climb new staggering heights, the investing world appears to have shifted some attention toward the upcoming election.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

GDP Growth at -32.9%!!! Have We Finally Reached Rock-Bottom?

It was assumed that the temporary negative effects would be quickly reversed once we open the doors again, and engage in pre-lockdown consumption levels.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Can We Just Print & Borrow Our Way Out of Every Crisis?

Recently, the relationship between the Fed's epic increase in monetary supply and consumer price inflation or deflation has been rocky. At best.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Will the Recovery Take 10 Years? What About a "V" Shape?

Stock market traders appear to be fairly convinced: the V-shaped recovery is already in the bag.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

"This Time Is Different!" No, Seriously!

Zacks economists don't want to push the envelope. We wish to provide modest guidance, for how investors can better interpret this current market environment.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

What Shape Will the Recovery Look Like? Small V, Large V or Large U?

Despite incomplete information, market participants need to form expectations. The stock markets appear to be bracing for the worst.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Coronavirus: How Bad Will It Get?

As policy measures to contain the disease -- to prevent further illnesses and fatalities -- spread and deepen, it also becomes necessary. Investors must grapple with the degree to which this will affect business activity, both in the U.S. and around the globe.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Coronavirus: How Does It Affect the Global Economy?

For the time being, becoming infected by the regular flu (Influenza) is far more likely in the U.S. ...and deadlier.

SBUXNegative Net Change JDNegative Net Change BABAPositive Net Change AAPLNegative Net Change

John Blank

Zacks Economic Outlook for 2020

With trade developments (hopefully) in the rear-view mirror, it is prudent in to contemplate a road ahead with less severe scenarios.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Are Fed Rate Cuts Going to Stop the GDP Slowdown?

Will the Fed's latest move be successful in slowing down a deceleration in U.S. GDP growth? That depends on a number of factors.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Once Upon a Time, When Interest Rates Were Above Zero...

The beginning of 2018 marked a brief time period in Interest Rate Land. Interest rates along the U.S. Treasury yield curve were inching higher, and the benchmark 10-year yield was manifesting itself above 3.0%.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

U.S. Recession: Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet?

The latest Fed rate cut, the inversion of the U.S. Treasury yield curve and many other leading economic indicators are pointing in one direction only. It appears to be only a matter of time when we get there: a recession.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Fed Rate Cut: Policy Blunder or Strategic Prudence?

One might argue U.S. macro data is right where it should be. Thus, a key question emerges, to critiquing these macroeconomic times: Does an interest rate cut at this stage make sense?

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Fed Rate Cut: Policy Blunder or Strategic Prudence?

One might argue U.S. macro data is right where it should be. Thus, a key question emerges, to critiquing these macroeconomic times: Does an interest rate cut at this stage make sense?

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Trade War: Are We There Yet (Or Still Sabre-Rattling)?

Given recent developments, one might wonder -- how concerned should investors be? Will all of this ultimately be just noise?

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change

John Blank

Has the U.S. Economy Shaken Off Recession Concerns?

U.S. quarterly GDP growth rates continue to surprise on the upside. This is leading perma-bear forecasters to push the recession's ETA further into the future.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

U.S. Economy: Just Slowing Down or Stalling?

Zacks Economists expect 2019 and 2020 to be characterized by a subdued and moderate -- but steady -- growth path, close to 2.0%.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Q4 GDP Growth at 2.6%, Better than Expected

While weaker than what we forecast (without amending), this is still a robust quarterly growth rate.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Is the Fed Done Raising Rates?

As the FOMC were in the process of reversing multiple years of near zero interest rates, the path back to rate 'normalization' was communicated relatively clearly to the public.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change

John Blank

Is the Fed Done Raising Rates?

As the FOMC were in the process of reversing multiple years of near zero interest rates, the path back to rate 'normalization' was communicated relatively clearly to the public.

SPYNegative Net Change QQQNegative Net Change DIANegative Net Change