US Markets

Bank of America raises chance of a recession to 1-in-3 in the next 12 months

Key Points
  • Bank of America sees a greater than 30% chance of a recession in the next year, based on recent data.
  • Some economic indicators are "flashing yellow," signaling a coming recession.
  • Head of U.S. economics Michelle Meyer says the "bright spot" of the economy is that initial jobless claims remain at low levels.
Traders and financial professionals work ahead of the closing bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Drew Angerer | Getty Images

Recession risk is rising, according to Bank of America.

Based on the most recent data, the bank's global economist now sees a greater than 30% chance of a recession in the next year.

"Our official model has the probability of a recession over the next 12 months only pegged at about 20%, but our subjective call based on the slew of data and events leads us to believe it is closer to a 1-in-3 chance," Bank of America's head of U.S. economics Michelle Meyer said in a note to clients Friday. 

Uncertainty around the U.S.-China trade war and a global economic slowdown have caused interest rates to tumble and weighed on the major stock averages in recent weeks. Last month's jobs report showed a strong consumer, but business investment is low as investors and business owners juggle new tariffs and fiscal policy uncertainty.

Bank of America's Michelle Meyer on recession risks
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Bank of America's Michelle Meyer on recession risks

Alongside this "policy ping pong," Meyer said some economic indicators are "flashing yellow," signaling a coming recession.

For one, the yield on the 10-year Treasury yield dipped below the yield on the 3-month, inverting part of the yield curve. This inversion, although a recession indicator, is not as worrisome as an inversion of the 2-year yield and the 10-year yield, which has yet to occur.

Meyer also said that three of five economic indicators that track business cycles — auto sales, industrial production and aggregate hours worked — are at levels reached right before previous recessions.

Meyer added the "bright spot" of the economy is that initial jobless claims remain low.

—With reporting from CNBC's Michael Bloom.