Published January 2014
Last year I opted to evolve my January column from forecasting what lay ahead for the upcoming year’s economy to identifying the major trends impacting the economy. I reasoned that there were simply too many major uncertainties (e.g., the year end “fiscal cliff” and the debt crisis in Europe) blowing in the wind to attempt a responsible forecast.
My hesitation to boldly step out on a limb is shared by the majority of business leaders as they plan for their organization’s future. It’s reflected in the steady, but slow pace of capital investments and hiring.
A continued, conservative approach appears to be well justified as we enter 2014. While some progress, or at least stabilization, appears to be occurring on sovereign debt both in the U.S. and in Europe, other lingering and new unknowns still abound.
Here at home, we avoided the 2012 year-end cliff with minor tax hikes, swallowed the budget sequestration pill in March and punted the October debt-ceiling crisis into 2014. It all made for endless debate and op-ed pieces in newspapers. The economy continued to slowly chug along at a New Normal clip of around two percent.
Overall, U.S. total public debt as a percent of GDP fell during the second quarter of 2013 from 101% to 100%, a rare drop since charging from just over 60% in 2007. But Congress has provided no clues on how, or if, it will deal with quickly approaching liabilities of Social Security and Medicare as the country continues to age.
Europe appears to be in the early stages of recovery. Greece’s debt to GDP fell from 170% to 157%; I’m assuming primarily at the expense of its bond holders. Again, a long term resolution to challenges facing Europe appears elusive.
Globally, emerging markets continue to play an ever-increasing role in the global economy. The economies of Brazil and India both enter 2014 decidedly weaker than 2013. Perhaps the biggest risk, however, remains real estate in China, where government investment has inflated a bubble.
New or lingering unknowns at the national level include:
Fortunately, there are some positive national trends as well:
In Iowa, we’re blessed with a reasonably sound state balance sheet and lawmakers who are generally able to work together for the common good. Increasing investment and accountability in the state’s education system is especially encouraging; although I worry that we’re over-producing four-year degrees at the expense of trade skills.
I’m also wary of the ag equipment market as I perceive too many purchases over the course of the recent boon have been triggered by tax laws rather than true need. If so, any correction caused by a downturn in ag income will be magnified.
So what to make of all of this? Continue to manage conservatively as you’ve been doing since the Great Recession. Businesses in general are in much better shape today than they were emerging from, and in many cases entering, the recession.
In short, control what you can control.
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