9/27/21 To Z or Not to Z: Why the Shape of Recovery Still Matters
Barry Gilbert, PhD, CFA, Asset Allocation Strategist, LPL Financial
Ryan Detrick, CMT, Chief Market Strategist, LPL Financial
Jeff Buchbinder, CFA, Equity Strategist, LPL Financial
LPL Research is downgrading its 2021 U.S. GDP growth forecast from 6.25–6.75% to 5.75–6.25%. Growth is likely to come in at an annualized pace near 5% over the second half of the year. So, while expectations have been tempered, the recovery still has a lot of momentum, which is likely to extend well into 2022. In 2022 we may see economic growth exceed potential, creating a Z-shaped recovery— something we haven’t really seen since the early 1970s. What is a Z-shaped recovery and what might it mean for the Federal Reserve (Fed), inflation, and markets? We attempt to answer those questions in this week’s commentary.