By Jeff Harding.
Everyone is pleased with the employment numbers that just came out today. Also, industrial production showed an increase. These numbers would indicate that we are well on our way to recovery, and I hope that is true. Many economists have hailed these reports as a clear sign that we are well on the way to recovery. I heard Brian Wesbury of First Trust Advisors say this on the radio this morning saying we are clearly in a “V”-shaped recovery.
Here is a typical reaction:
This is one of those game-changer reports that should fundamentally alter the perception regarding the economy. We have been steadfast in our belief that the labor market is stabilizing and that payrolls would turn positive around the turn of the year. It is safe to say that many if not most economists have been skeptical that the labor market would perk up, and the jump in the unemployment rate in October seemed to reinforce the negativity around the labor market. Today’s number was a little more and a little faster than we had expected, but it largely jibes with our broad evaluation of the employment picture. However, it should spark a much more significant re-assessment of the economic situation among market participants and the consensus at the Fed. –Stephen Stanley, RBS
But are these indicators correct? Do they signal a turnaround? Since I am accused of always seeing things darkly, I don’t wish to be overly critical, but I don’t think they are sending signals of a true recovery. Let’s examine the reports.
Nothing Is As It Seems: Factory Orders and Unemployment
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