January 20, 2021 | Report
Following a surge in new COVID-19 cases at the end of 2020, the severity of the winter resurgence may be turning a corner. Coupled with the rollout of two vaccines, a $900 billion economic support package approved in late December and, potentially, an additional stimulus package proposed by the incoming US administration, there is reason to be optimistic about the economic recovery in 2021. Our baseline US forecast yields a 4.1 percent annual GDP growth rate in 2021 following an estimated 3.5 percent contraction in 2020. Quarterly growth should peak in 3Q21 at 6.1 percent (annualized) as the economy returns to prepandemic levels. However, we also offer upside and downside forecast scenarios due to uncertainty in the outlook. The upside scenario brings US economic output to prepandemic levels by 2Q21, while the downside scenario takes until 2022 to reach this level.
Economy Watch: US View (September 2025)
September 12, 2025
Economy Watch: US View (August 2025)
August 11, 2025
Economy Watch: US View (July 2025)
July 17, 2025
Economy Watch: US View (June 2025)
June 13, 2025
Economy Watch: US View (September 2024)
September 20, 2024
Economy Watch: US View (August 2024)
August 19, 2024