Interesting charts from the Times comparing before and after previous recessions.

The Times has made these helpful graphics comparing many of the major economic indicators with where they were before and after previous recessions.

I did this a couple months ago with the economic indicators the NBER uses to determine if we are in a recession.

As you can see the signals are mixed, but in general it is hard to argue we are in a recession currently as most of the indicators are still good. Particularly the job market and consumer spending are holding up, despite very negative consumer sentiment. But we may see a recession in the future.

If we start seeing these indicators worsen more broadly, particularly unemployment, it will be more indicative of a recession.