A downturn is merely a chance to rethink operations and devise a plan to push it forward. The business owners who go on to become multi-millionaires take option two. In fact, it's common that during or soon after a recession there's money on offer, if you are brave enough to go find it.
The most important part of building wealth during a recession is investing as much as possible in the stock market. Take steps to ensure you'll have stable income, like starting a side hustle or working on your skills.
Millionaires love to profit during a recession and get even wealthier during an economic collapse. They've done it before, and chances are, many will continue to do it for as long as they possibly can.
When a recession is on the horizon, the rich usually don't have to worry too much. They're usually in a good position to ride out the rough economic times, the last to be affected and the first to recover value. But in the case of a richcession, wealthy Americans could feel a unique pinch on their budgets.
That said, if you have the cash to invest, you may want to consider buying recession-friendly sectors such as consumer staples, utilities and healthcare. Stocks that have been paying a dividend for many years are also a good choice. These tend to be long-established companies that can withstand a downturn.
Higher interest rates that often coincide with the early stages of a recession provide an advantage to savers, while lower interest rates moving out of a recession can benefit homebuyers. Investors may be able to find bargains on assets that have decreased in price during a recession.
Generally, the industries known to fare better during recessions are those that supply the population with essentials we cannot live without that. They include utilities, health care, consumer staples, and, in some pundits' opinions, maybe even technology.
A recession is “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months.” Industries affected most include retail, restaurants, travel/tourism, leisure/hospitality, service purveyors, real estate, & manufacturing/warehouse.
Key Takeaways
A recession is a significant, widespread and extended decline in economic activity. Riskier assets like stocks and high-yield bonds tend to lose value in a recession, while gold and U.S. Treasuries appreciate.
In general, a recession lasts anywhere from six to 18 months. For example, the Great Recession that started in December 2007 lasted 18 months. But the recession prompted by the pandemic in 2020 only lasted two months. When a recession is on the horizon, it's impossible to know how long it will last.
The prospect of recession is certainly scary. But even if the U.S. is headed for one, it's worth keeping in mind that no two recessions are alike. A recession could be blip-ish, like the short, pandemic-induced one in 2020, or more like the economic tsunami that followed the 2008 housing meltdown.
The Australian economy entered a recession after GDP fell 0.3% in Q1 2020 and a whopping 7% in Q2 2020 - the steepest contraction in the nation's recorded history. Prior to this economic anomaly, the last time Australia endured a recession was 1990-1991.
And, if prices start to rise, you'll end up buying more shares at the lower prices and fewer shares when your favorite stocks start to get more expensive. In a nutshell, a recession can be a great time to buy the stocks of top-notch businesses at favorable prices.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what causes a recession. But some factors that might contribute to recessions include economic shocks, stock market crashes, fiscal and monetary policy, asset bubbles bursting and psychological factors. According to the Department of Labor, recessions are hard to predict.
GOBankingRates consulted quite a few finance experts and asked them this question and they all said basically the same thing: You need three to six months' worth of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account. The exact amount of cash needed depends on one's income tier and cost of living.
An economic downturn can put strain on your finances. Most experts recommend having at least three to six months' worth of living expenses saved up and easily accessible in case of emergency. Investing in yourself can help create a more secure financial future, no matter the economic situation.
Consumer staples, utilities, healthcare, streaming, discount store, and even fast food stocks all have a record of positive performance during recessions. Commodities like gold are yet another category of recession-proof stocks because when all else fails, gold stays up.
Jobs that depend on non-essential or luxury goods and services are usually at high risk in recessions. Now, the most at-risk jobs include travel, restaurants, leisure, entertainment, real estate, and auto dealerships.
Brookings Institution economist Harry Holzer says newer college graduates are among the first to be targeted by employers in a recession, because they are the most marginal people in the workforce, having just entered it.
What are some examples of businesses that thrive in recession? Due to the elasticity of demand, recession-proof industries are usually in essential services, like health care, senior services, grocery stores, and maintenance, such as plumbing and electrical.
In September 2008, Congress approved the “Bailout Bill,” which provided $700 billion to add emergency liquidity to the markets. Through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) passed in October 2008, the U.S. Treasury added billions more to stabilize financial markets—including buying equity in banks.