BaylorSpineGuy said:
My only disagreement with your notion is that buoy say there's no recession this year and a call for $10 gas. If either happens, the other will almost certainly not.
Is this a faulty line of thinking? $10 gas and work from home will be the standard. Major recession and gas goes to $1.50 cause there won't be demand.
Not sure I can reconcile the two thoughts.
Currently, spending (demand) for goods and services has not slowed and it continues with inflation added to the prices of what consumers are paying while energy remains cheap.
The U.S. economy is not weak, maybe not as strong as 2019, but not going in the toilet the bears are holding the lid open for.
U.S. Travel experts are now reporting vacations, rental cars and air travel have surpassed 2019 levels. People are spending.
Later as the pendulum swings to higher energy costs, demand for other goods and services should slow and those prices come down (inflation reduction), but not to the point of impacting the GDP and verifying the definition of a "recession". (IMO, if Powell raises rates in June OR July he will "hobble" the economy. IMO, if Powell raises rates in June AND July he will destroy the economy. By math, he should have one rate hike left that will deliver a serious blow to the U.S. economy at approximately 6 months after the hike. A second hike,....the interest will more than consume the Federal Budget...where does the money come from then to support the budget? Higher taxes?)
Right at this moment, this Administration and the Fed are dictating that all industry segments can have inflation except energy. Now, think about that scenario in reverse. The current scenario is not delivering a recession...hasn't yet. The second scenario won't either. Powell just has to stop raising rates.
If you can imagine the above in a chronological sequence, then add in the next election will deliver a President that is fossil fuel friendly. That President will encourage U.S. Big Oil to invest and not be threatened out of existence. Energy prices come down and there will be balance again.