Economists also see a 25% chance of recession in the next 12 months—up from January and the first increase in two years, but well below the 65% chance estimated in the first half of 2023.
Unemployment numbers are likely to rise soon. The lost positions will primarily be well-paid roles held by highly educated workers, which will spill over to consumer-facing industries and housing, pushing Washington, D.C., into a mild recession by the summer.
A Texas judge has ruled that retirement fund managers may consider environmental, social, and corporate governance factors when choosing investment funds.
Use of generative AI could “lead to herding behavior and the concentration of risk, potentially amplifying market volatility. ... GenAI agents directed to maximize profit may converge on strategies to maximize returns through coordinated market manipulation.”
“With 32% of appliances and 30% of softwood lumber coming from international trade, uncertainty over the scale and scope of tariffs has builders further concerned about costs.”
Manufacturing has recently showed signs of stabilizing, but producers face headwinds including a stronger dollar that dampens foreign demand for U.S. exports.