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| Press Release |
UCLA Anderson Forecast Holds the Line: No Recession in National Forecast
But decline in California real estate sector continues
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LOS ANGELES - In its fourth quarterly report of 2006, the UCLA Anderson
Forecast refuses to join the growing chorus of experts predicting a recession.
The Forecast notes in particular that, “manufacturing is not poised to
contribute much to job loss,” and, “real interest rates are very low and there
is no evident credit crunch, not on the horizon.” The report concludes that in
light of these conditions, the problems in the housing sector are less severe
than they would be otherwise. In short, the decline in the housing sector will
be isolated and, while a drag on the national economy, is not enough to cause a
recession during the forecast period. The forecast for California is much the
same with a declining housing market slowing the economy but, without a
secondary source of economic distress, it’s not enough to cause a recession.
The National Forecast
In his national report, UCLA Forecast director Edward Leamer states that a recession
is not on the immediate horizon for the U.S. economy. Leamer admits that some economic
models that emphasize historical data are producing recession forecasts, but he
believes that conditions today are significantly different than those that led up to
past recessions and thus concludes that a national recession is not imminent.
The report, titled “Models or Minds,” makes the following argument: A recession is a
period of declining jobs and the job losses during such times occur in the manufacturing
and construction sectors. Today, the decline in the housing sector is contributing to job
loss in the construction sector, but there are no significant losses to be found on the
manufacturing horizon. Without the accompanying decline in manufacturing jobs, the losses
in construction will not be enough to cause a recession. “If you are a builder or a broker,
it will feel like a deep depression,” Leamer writes. “But the rest of us will hardly notice.”
In an accompanying national report titled, “The Outlook for the Financial Markets: A
Goldilocks-like Economy Will Keep the Bears Away,” UCLA Forecast senior economist David
Shulman, who coined the term “goldilocks economy,” in 1992, forecasts three rate cuts by
the Federal Reserve that will, “bring the Fed Funds rate to 4.5% by year-end.” In addition,
the 10-year Treasury bond will trade in a narrow 4 1/4 %–5% range, ending the year at the
higher end. The S&P 500 will trade in the 1525–1325 range, again ending the year in the
higher range.
The California Forecast
In the California report, UCLA Anderson Forecast economist Ryan Ratcliff echoes reports
released earlier in 2006, writing that “slowing housing markets will create a significant
slowdown in the California economy, but will not create a recession without a secondary
source of weakness.” The central message of the forecast remains unchanged. The construction
sector will continue to weaken, with total residential permit activity and construction
employment hitting bottom in late 2007. The report also looks closely at two potential
sources for that additional weakness — a negative wealth effect and/or a state budget
crisis — but concludes that neither will be severe enough, “to create a recession.”
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About UCLA Anderson Forecast
The UCLA Anderson Forecast, one of the most widely watched and often-cited economic
outlooks for California and the nation, is no stranger to accurate forecasts.
The forecasting team is credited as the first major U.S. economic forecasting group
to declare the recession of 2001. The team was also unique in predicting both the
seriousness of the early-1990s downturn in California, and the strength of the state’s
rebound since 1993.
Founded in 1952, the UCLA Anderson Forecast is one of the most widely watched and
often-cited economic outlooks for California and the nation. Award-winning for its
accuracy, the UCLA Anderson Forecast often breaks with consensus in its quarterly
forecast reports, which feature projections for major economic indicators, including
inflation, interest rates, job growth and gross domestic product growth.
About UCLA Anderson School of Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management is perennially ranked among the top-tier business
schools in the world. Award-winning faculty renowned for their research and teaching,
highly selective admissions, successful alumni and world-class facilities combine to
provide an extraordinary learning environment. UCLA Anderson students are part of a
culture that values individual vision, intellectual discipline and a sense of teamwork
and collegiality.
Established in 1935, UCLA Anderson School of Management provides management education
to more than 1,400 students enrolled in MBA and doctoral programs, and some 2,000
executives and managers enrolled annually in executive education programs. Recognizing
that the school offers unparalleled expertise in management education, the world's
business community turns to UCLA Anderson School of Management as a center of influence
for the ideas, innovations, strategies and talent that will shape the future.
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