The boom and bust cycle describes the alternating periods of economic growth and decline common in many capitalist economies. The boom and bust cycle is a phrase used to describe the fluctuations in an economy in which there is persistent expansion and contraction. Expansion is associated with prosperity, while the contraction is associated with either a recession or a depression.
Aspect | Explanation |
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Boom and Bust Cycle | – The Boom and Bust Cycle, also known as the economic or business cycle, refers to the recurring pattern of economic expansion (boom) and contraction (bust) that occurs in market economies. This cycle is characterized by periods of rapid economic growth followed by downturns or recessions. |
Phases | – The cycle typically consists of four phases: expansion, peak, contraction, and trough. Expansion is marked by rising economic activity, while the peak is the highest point of growth. Contraction leads to a decline in activity, and the trough is the lowest point before recovery. |
Causes | – Several factors contribute to the boom and bust cycle, including changes in consumer spending, business investment, monetary policy (interest rates), government fiscal policy, and external shocks like financial crises or natural disasters. |
Boom Phase | – During the boom phase, the economy experiences robust growth. Businesses expand, employment rises, and consumer spending increases. Asset prices, such as real estate and stocks, often soar. This phase can lead to optimism and overconfidence. |
Peak Phase | – The peak is the zenith of economic growth. It’s characterized by maximum employment, high levels of production, and strong consumer demand. However, it’s also when inflationary pressures may build, and bubbles in asset markets can develop. |
Contraction Phase | – Contraction marks the transition from economic growth to decline. Economic indicators such as GDP, employment, and consumer spending start to decline. Businesses may cut back on investments, and consumer confidence wanes. This phase can lead to layoffs and financial stress. |
Trough Phase | – The trough is the lowest point in the cycle. Economic activity reaches its nadir, and unemployment may peak. Asset prices can plummet, and businesses face financial challenges. It’s often a period of economic hardship, but it also sets the stage for recovery. |
Recovery | – After the trough, the economy enters a recovery phase. Economic indicators begin to improve, and businesses cautiously invest. Employment gradually rises, and consumer confidence returns. The recovery phase eventually leads to a new expansion, restarting the cycle. |
Impacts | – The boom and bust cycle can have significant impacts on individuals, businesses, and governments. For individuals, it affects employment and income stability. Businesses must adapt to changing market conditions. Governments often use policy tools to mitigate economic fluctuations. |
Investment Strategy | – Investors often adjust their strategies based on where they believe the economy is in the cycle. During booms, they may seek growth assets, while in busts, they may opt for defensive assets. However, timing the market perfectly is challenging, and diversification is key. |
Policy Response | – Governments and central banks may implement various policies to manage the boom and bust cycle. For instance, they can use monetary policy (changing interest rates) or fiscal policy (government spending) to stimulate or cool down the economy as needed. |
Understanding the boom and bust cycle
Boom and bust cycles affect most areas of an economy, including sales, profits, employment rates, the housing market, government spending, and financial market performance.
Since the Wall Street Crash of 1929, there have been 28 boom and bust cycles of varying intensity, frequency, and duration.
What causes boom and bust cycles?
Why do boom and bust cycles occur? In other words, why does economic growth not follow a long, steady, upwards trajectory?
The answer can be found in the monetary policy of central banks. During periods of prosperity, banks lend money to individuals and businesses at low-interest rates.
This money is then invested into technology, stocks, and real estate, among many other things, with investors earning higher returns as the economy grows.
When capital is easily available, individuals tend to overinvest. This practice is called malinvestment, where money is invested in a wasteful way.
The abundance of capital also stimulates more demand, which creates a virtuous cycle of prosperity.
If demand outpaces supply, the economy can overheat. Too much capital chasing too few goods causes inflation, which then causes investors and businesses alike to try and outperform the market.
Bad investments then pour into the market as investors ignore the obvious risks.
During the bust phase of the cycle, investor confidence plummets. Apprehensive of a stock market correction, they pour capital into assets such as gold, bonds, and the U.S. dollar.
In a recession, discretionary spending decreases as consumers lose their jobs. The bust phase ends when prices are low enough to once again stimulate investor demand.
Phases of the boom and bust cycle
The boom and bust cycle has four phases, with each affording a more concise look at the machinations of alternating periods of growth and decline.
The four phases are:
Boom (expansion)
During the boom phase, economic growth accompanies a bull market with rising house prices, wage growth, and low unemployment.
This phase can last for years if growth remains in a healthy range of 2-3%.
However, if growth is above 4% for two or more consecutive quarters, the boom phase may be coming to an end.
End of boom (peak)
The point where expansion reaches a maximum value.
The National Bureau of Economic Research defines this phase as the inflection point where an economy ceases to expand.
Bust (contraction)
As most can appreciate, the bust phase is brutal, short, and devastating.
Bust phases last an average of 11 months and are characterized by an unemployment rate of 7% or higher and a devaluing of investments.
If the contraction of the economy lasts more than 3 months, it is considered a recession. Any resultant stock market crash also causes a bear market which may last for years.
End of bust (trough)
the end of the bust phase is the point where the economy stops contracting and begins to expand.
History of Financial Bubbles
- Tulip mania
- Mississippi Bubble
- South Sea Bubble
- Stock Market Crash of 1929
- Japanese Lost Decade
- Dot-com Bubble
- 2007-8 Global Financial Crisis
Key takeaways
- The boom and bust cycle describes the alternating periods of economic growth and decline common to many capitalist economies. Since the Wall Street Crash of 1929, there have been 28 boom and bust cycles.
- The boom and bust cycle is caused by the monetary policy of central banks, who lower interest rates and freely lend capital during periods of prosperity. Irrational and unsustainable investment behavior then causes the economy to overheat.
- The boom and bust cycle has four phases: boom, end of boom, bust, and end of bust. The cycle is ultimately set in motion if economic growth exceeds 4% in two or more consecutive quarters.
Key Highlights
- Definition: The boom and bust cycle refers to the alternating periods of economic growth and decline that occur in many capitalist economies. It involves periods of expansion (boom) and contraction (bust), with the economy going through phases of prosperity and recession.
- Cycle Impact: The boom and bust cycle affects various aspects of the economy, including sales, profits, employment rates, the housing market, government spending, and financial market performance.
- Causes:
- Central Bank Monetary Policy: Central banks play a role in the cycle by lowering interest rates and lending capital during periods of prosperity. This leads to excessive investments and demand.
- Malinvestment: Abundant capital availability leads to malinvestment, where money is invested wastefully.
- Inflation and Overheating: Excessive demand leads to inflation and economic overheating, with investors ignoring risks and making poor investments.
- Phases of the Cycle:
- Boom (Expansion): Characterized by economic growth, rising house prices, wage growth, and low unemployment. Sustainable growth is around 2-3%, but growth above 4% for consecutive quarters may signal the end of the boom phase.
- End of Boom (Peak): The point where expansion reaches its maximum value and economic growth starts to slow down.
- Bust (Contraction): Short and devastating, marked by high unemployment and devaluing investments. If the contraction lasts over 3 months, it’s considered a recession, often accompanied by a bear market.
- End of Bust (Trough): The point where the economy starts recovering from the contraction phase.
- History of Financial Bubbles: Examples of financial bubbles in history include Tulip Mania, Mississippi Bubble, South Sea Bubble, Stock Market Crash of 1929, Japanese Lost Decade, Dot-com Bubble, and the 2007-8 Global Financial Crisis.
Connected Economic Concepts
Positive and Normative Economics
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