Is a Recession Coming?

The yield curve identifies yields across varying maturities of debt instruments. The typical shape is upward sloping, with longer term rates generally being higher than shorter term rates. When the yield curve inverts, economists often point to an impending recession. The reason is that lower long term rates indicate expectations of lower interest rates in the future, either from lower inflation or a more loose monetary policy, both of which generally accompany slower growth. See article here, MarketWatch.  See historical article here, NY Times.