Is the US in recession?

It often seems that economists are perpetually warning about the next U.S. recession. One influential analyst says an economic slowdown is already a fact of life for many Americans.

“Many states are already experiencing a recession,” said MarketWatch . That is the conclusion of Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, who assesses that 22 states are “now experiencing persistent economic weakness and job losses that are likely to continue." The overall American economy is “on the precipice.” Government data released before the shutdown showed the “broader economy was in pretty good shape,” said MarketWatch, but some are skeptical. The gross domestic product might be rising, said Zandi, but the “job market is weaker.”

Other observers are warning of a bifurcated “K-shaped econo