Recession or soft landing? Why U.S. could dodge a downturn and why it may not

A growing number of economists who had been forecasting a recession now believe the U.S. can achieve a “soft landing,” or a gradual slowdown in growth that avoids a downturn.

Economists say there’s a 50% chance of a recession in the next 12 months, down from 56% in July and 61% in May, according to a survey by Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators conducted early this week and scheduled to be released Thursday.

Paul Davidson