J.P. Morgan's David Kelly: The economy is not in recession yet, but is 'slowing slowly'

Economic Slowdown & Recession Concerns - The US economy is slowing down, though not yet in recession, with weak payroll prints attributed to both lack of demand and supply due to immigration crackdown [2][3] - Construction spending is down year-on-year, signaling potential recessionary pressures [4] - Rate cuts are unlikely to stimulate growth and may negatively impact retirees' interest income, potentially increasing uncertainty [5][6][7] Uncertainty & Policy Impact - Uncertainty, stemming from tariffs, immigration policies, and geopolitical factors, is acting as a significant drag on the economy, hindering business investment and hiring [8][9][10][11] - Businesses are hesitant to make decisions due to policy uncertainty, adopting a "wait and see" approach [11] - While tax cuts are beneficial for corporations, the unpredictable nature of tariffs creates challenges for long-term planning and investment in manufacturing [12][13] Trade & Tariffs - The industry emphasizes the need for clear and consistent trade rules, suggesting a long-term tariff regime established through Congress to provide businesses with certainty [14][15] - Tariffs are viewed as a tax on consumers, and their fluctuating nature makes it difficult for businesses to compete and plan investments [16] Market Outlook - The market's positive reaction is likely due to anticipation of rate cuts, but these cuts may not address the underlying economic issues [5][6] - Despite the challenges, the US economy has the potential for steady growth around 2%, but uncertainty is hindering progress [9]