A staggering 96% of Americans express deep worry about the current economic landscape, according to a survey by Intuit Credit Karma. The surprising link between low unemployment and imminent recessions is now causing widespread anxiety. While historically, a low unemployment rate signals a robust economy, recent data challenges this notion.
Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted the dichotomy, stating, “You don’t have a recession when you have 500,000 jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years.” However, a closer look at the chart reveals that unemployment often hits a cyclical low just before a recession hits.
In a shocking twist, full-time workers plunged by 1.5 million in a single month, hitting the lowest point since February 2023. Simultaneously, part-time workers soared by 762,000, reaching a record high. The number of multiple jobholders hit an all-time high at 8.565 million, while temporary jobs plummeted. The housing market strain is so severe that divorced couples are forced to continue cohabiting, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Moreover, a critical ISM Services report today unveiled an alarming employment index drop to recessionary levels. Despite better-than-expected job numbers, historical trends indicate that once the unemployment rate surpasses its 2-year moving average, a recession typically ensues. As labor markets deteriorate, the appeal of hard assets rises, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in these uncertain times.
96% of Americans are concerned about the current state of the economy, per Intuit Credit Karma.
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) January 5, 2024
🚨Surprising Link Between Unemployment and Recessions
Low unemployment rate is traditionally a sign of a strong economy.
Janet Yellen reminded us of this recently: “You don’t have a recession when you have 500,000 jobs and the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years”… pic.twitter.com/lYrAmt3hbS
— Genevieve Roch-Decter, CFA (@GRDecter) January 5, 2024
Holy sh*t:
Full-time workers plunge 1.5 million in ONE MONTH to lowest since February 2023
Part-time workers soar 762K to the highest on record
Multiple jobholders hit all time-high 8.565MM
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 5, 2024
Probably nothing, it will be a soft landing folks pic.twitter.com/FfrQ84fH5h
— Michael A. Arouet (@MichaelAArouet) January 5, 2024
Number of Multiple Job Holders in the U.S Hits Record High
Probably nothing. pic.twitter.com/u2K1LWM7Zp
— Genevieve Roch-Decter, CFA (@GRDecter) January 5, 2024
The housing market is so tough that divorced couples are still living together, per WSJ.
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) January 5, 2024
Time to stop trading off the payroll data. The downward revisions in 2023 totalled an epic 443k. More than 40% of payroll growth in 2023 didn’t even come from the survey but from the fairy-tale ‘Birth-Death’ model.
— David Rosenberg (@EconguyRosie) January 5, 2024
Very important data was reported today on the ISM Services.
The employment index plunged to levels only seen during recessionary periods.
Despite the better-than-expected job numbers today, there has never been a time that the unemployment rate crossed its 2-year moving… pic.twitter.com/kdiRwx6JbO— Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) January 5, 2024