Goldman Predicts Recession

Goldman Sachs is predicting that the economy will slide into a recession this year—which has Wall Street worried, because Goldman’s been right about everything else. The investment firm forecasts a mild pullback extending over two quarters, driving up already-growing unemployment. “If we don't get job growth we don't get income growth, we don't get consumer spending, and we do get a recession,” another firm’s economist told NPR.

While some economists disagree with Goldman, basically everyone believes things are bad enough to merit yet another Federal Reserve rate cut. In a Reuters poll, 20 economists predicted a cut of some size, as recession fear outstrips inflation worries. “I think that battle is still on,” one economist said, “but the recent weak economic data has probably tipped the scales.” (More Goldman Sachs stories.)