This has been a slow but resilient expansion
This economic expansion has been like a healthy tortoise – slow but steady. In fact, as of December, the expansion is in its ninth year, making it the third longest expansion since 1900. Growth accelerated in the third quarter after firming in the second, and rebuilding following a series of natural disasters, alongside tax reform, should add to growth. That said, U.S. growth may be limited moving forward by structural constraints.
The economy should grow faster moving into 2018
Growth should accelerate and stabilize through the end of 2018, reflecting a pick-up in exports, inventories, government spending and fiscal stimulus through tax reform. Stronger investment spending and an improving global economy should also be tailwinds. Regardless, weak productivity and labor force dynamics should prevent sustained growth at 3.0%, with growth likely slowing to 2% or less in 2019 and beyond.
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Why we Chart the Course? Charts speak a thousand words. They visually and concisely show economic, financial, and market trends. Charts help us build assumptions and conduct analyses for strategic decisions like exiting businesses, deploying capital, building investment portfolios, etc. In Charting The Course, we bring to your attention some of the charts we gather and analyze in our daily research and analyses of economy, business environment, investment and capital markets. We hope you find it of value.
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