No V-shaped Recovery

Initial jobless claims in the US for the 6 weeks to April 25th exceed 30 million.

Initial Jobless Claims

That will take unemployment above 20%, with total jobs falling to levels last seen in 1997, and more job losses still to come.

Total Employment (Nonfarm Payroll)

Employment is the key to economic recovery. While unemployment is high, consumer spending will stay low and the economy will struggle. Companies may receive bailouts and the Fed will keep financial markets awash with liquidity but that does not help falling sales.

Be prepared. April employment numbers are going to be ugly. Expect some turbulence.