Skip to main content

Guide to Recessions

by Capital Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When is the next recession?

That’s one of the questions we hear most often, especially following more than a year of aggressive interest rate hikes aimed at reining in runaway inflation. Although a recession has felt imminent for awhile, the economic picture has become muddied as industries have weakened and recovered at different times. If we do see a broad contraction over the next year, our expectation is that it will be less severe than the 2008 global financial crisis and other more typical recessions, followed by a strong recovery.

Recessions can be complicated, misunderstood and even scary. But, most of all, they’re hard to predict, as Paul Samuelson — the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Economics — wryly noted in the 1960s. So rather than predicting the exact date of the next recession, this guide will offer perspectives on the following questions:

  • What factors have contributed to previous recessions?
  • How have equities moved during past contractions?
  • What are the most consistent economic indicators to watch?
  • How close is the next recession?
  • What can investors do to prepare?
Access the Complete Recession Guide

 

 


 

The market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks. The S&P 500 is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2023 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes. BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg or Bloomberg’s licensors own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Neither Bloomberg nor Bloomberg’s licensors approves or endorses this material, or guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.

Investing outside the United States involves risks such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility, as more fully described in fund prospectuses. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with underlying bond holdings. Bond prices and a bond fund’s share price will generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates.

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. This information is intended to highlight issues and should not be considered advice, an endorsement or a recommendation.

This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.

All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Lit. No. MFGEBR-103-0823P CGD/ALD/10623-S98474 © 2023 Capital Group. All rights reserved.