JPMorgan Chase’s chief global strategist has expressed a cautious view of the U.S. economy, suggesting that while a full recession may be avoided, the near-term outlook points to slow and uneven growth.
The bank’s internal forecasts have shifted in recent months, largely due to new fiscal measures and delayed economic impacts from recent legislation.
A large tax package scheduled to provide economic stimulus in 2026, along with some minor effects beginning in 2025, is expected to provide a cushion that reduces the likelihood of a recession this year.
Despite this support, several risk factors remain. Ongoing tariff pressures, tightening conditions in the government sector, and the resumption of student loan repayments are combining to place strain on consumer spending. While consumers have shown resilience, the accumulation of financial stress is beginning to weigh on broader demand.
Economic activity is not expected to contract significantly, but growth will likely be sluggish throughout the year. JPMorgan’s assessment suggests that while the risk of a downturn has lessened, momentum in the economy will remain fragile. Inflationary concerns stemming from trade policies and global uncertainty add further complexity to the outlook.
Overall, the bank sees the U.S. economy navigating through a period of slow growth rather than entering a formal recession, driven by temporary fiscal support and moderate resilience in key sectors.
In a historic move, Moody’s has downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, citing ballooning deficits, growing interest burdens, and a failure to implement fiscal reforms.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited criticism of Federal Reserve policy, calling for swift interest rate reductions and casting doubt on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s ability to handle the process.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has cautioned that the possibility of a U.S. recession still looms large, citing a convergence of geopolitical instability and unresolved domestic issues as key threats to economic momentum.
Global markets are recalibrating expectations for China’s economic performance following a sudden softening of trade tensions with the U.S.