Gary Siegel

While some economists expect a V-shaped recovery, others say it will not be as sharp as the decline, and it could be years before output rises to pre-coronavirus levels.

Coronavirus-driven job losses are way beyond predicted, and expected to get worse, but most still see a V-shaped recovery.

Incoming data continued to show massive hits from the efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, with jobless claims doubling and the New York manufacturing sector hitting all-time lows in activity.

Wednesday’s economic data were not as bad as projected, but included just the beginning of the effects of the coronavirus on the economy.

Consumer confidence dropped in March as the economy shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but economists expected a larger decline.

While experts predict rates will not stay at zero lower bound as long as after the financial crisis, they don’t see a hike for years.

Consumer sentiment fell in March, with the final reading 89.1, its lowest since October 2016, down from 95.9 in the preliminary read.

Initial jobless claims surged, as expected, hitting an all-time high of a seasonally adjusted 3.283 million in the week ended March 21, as the impacts of the coronavirus-driven closures showed in the numbers, the Labor Department said. The previous high for claims was 695,000 in October 1982.

With the Federal Reserve bringing the target rate down to the zero lower bound, communication takes on a vital role, and, if used properly, can enhance Fed actions.

New home sales were up 14.3% from a year ago, despite a 4.4% decline in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 765,000, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.