There are many factors at play when trying to predict a possible recession. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest...
One economic indicator that may be signaling an oncoming recession: the soft demand for cardboard boxes. Data from the Fibre Box Assn. suggest that demand for corrugated liner board — what most cardboard boxes are made from — has fallen in line with previous recessions, though it hasn’t quite reached the depths of the 2008-09 downturn. Meanwhile, the American Forest and Paper Assn. reports that total boxboard production was down 5% in the first quarter, compared with 2022. A separate survey of independent North American box makers shows demand for cardboard boxes falling to 2019 levels after declining by 4% last year.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Related Content
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
-
What Is a Debt-to-Equity Ratio and How Can Investors Use It?A debt-to-equity ratio is a way to measure how solid a company's financial position is. Here, we take a closer look at what it is and how investors can use it.
-
Three Gen X Retirement Mistakes for Millennials, Gen Z to AvoidMany Gen Xers haven’t prioritized saving for retirement and face a crisis as the first generation to retire without substantial support from pension plans.
-
A Spotlight on the Pacific States: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Most Pacific states are seeing good job growth in multiple sectors including tourism, hospitality, and construction.
-
The Robots Are Coming... But Not For a WhileThe Kiplinger Letter There’s excitement in the tech sector over the potential of humanoid robots, but widespread adoption is likely to be years away.
-
Farmers Face Another Tough Year As Costs Continue to Climb: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Farm income is expected to decline for a second year, while costs continue to up-end farm profitability.
-
A Spotlight on the Mountain States: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Most Mountain states are seeing good job growth in multiple sectors from healthcare, energy, and semiconductor production to farming and government.
-
A Spotlight on the Plains States: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter The labor market is tight in the Plains states and outside of healthcare and construction most sectors are flat or down.
-
Kiplinger's Commodities ForecastThe Kiplinger Letter Following a rocky few years for markets, we expect commodities to be less volatile in 2024, as a post-pandemic normal finally emerges.
-
Growth Stalls in China As Property Market Continues to Struggle: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter The property market remains a major drag on Chinese growth, with sales now 50% below their peak.
-
A Spotlight on the South Central States: The Kiplinger LetterThe Kiplinger Letter Outside of the tech sector slump, job growth in the South Central states remains buoyant, with healthcare, construction and business investment going strong.
