Lakshman Achuthan

The continued weakness in a number of components of the index suggests that it's more than just high oil prices read more

The continued weakness in a number of components of the index suggests that it's more than just high oil prices that are ailing the economy.

It will temporarily depress some economic activity, in much the same way a snowstorm could.

It will temporarily depress some economic activity, in much the same way a snowstorm could.

Right now, [our] leading indicators clearly show that the U.S. economy is in a window of vulnerability. This means that, read more

Right now, [our] leading indicators clearly show that the U.S. economy is in a window of vulnerability. This means that, depending on the course of oil prices and geopolitical events, the economy can be easily tipped into a new recession.

One of the things recessions do is uncover weak links. When you're in a strong economy, a bull market, you read more

One of the things recessions do is uncover weak links. When you're in a strong economy, a bull market, you can paper over a lot of things. When you get under some strain, these things show up.

The Fed's painfully aware of this, and that's one of the better reasons they try to telegraph what they're doing, read more

The Fed's painfully aware of this, and that's one of the better reasons they try to telegraph what they're doing, so people don't get caught. The institutions that have taken decisions that might put them into harm's way are probably fewer.