TXMC Recession Sequence
A 31-step sequence tracking the chronological order economic indicators typically fire before, during, and after a recession. Based on historical patterns from the 1920s onwards.
Progress
11/31
Current Phase
Pre-Recession
Pre-Recession
Leading indicators that fire before a recession begins
New Orders Peak
ISM New Orders peaked February 2021. Currently 47.7, in contraction.
Triggered: 2021-02
PMI Peak
ISM Manufacturing PMI peaked January 2021. DBnomics data unreliable, awaiting verification.
Triggered: 2021-01
Housing Permits Peak
Housing permits peaked December 2022. Currently 1,376K and falling.
Triggered: 2022-12
Yield Curve Inversion
Yield curve inverted July 2022. Has since uninverted (currently +0.51%).
Triggered: 2022-07
Unemployment Off Low
Unemployment left its 3.4% low in July 2023. Currently 4.4% and rising.
Triggered: 2023-07
Earnings Peak
Corporate profits peaked Q4 2024 at $4,389B. Q3 2025 at $4,285B. Below peak but recovering from Q1 dip. Ambiguous.
Market High
S&P 500 peaked 6,946 on 25 Feb 2026. Now 6,506, down 6.3%. Could be the top, or a correction.
Tightening Ends
Fed Funds Rate peaked at 5.33% in July 2023. Currently 3.64%, easing underway.
Triggered: 2023-07
Industrial Production Peak
Industrial production at a new 12-month high of 102.6 in February 2026. Still climbing.
CPI YoY Peak
CPI year-over-year peaked at 9.1% in June 2022. Currently 2.44%.
Triggered: 2022-06
New Orders Contraction
ISM New Orders below 50 (contraction). Currently 47.7.
Triggered: 2022-01
PMI Contraction
ISM PMI fell below 50 in November 2022. Latest reading unverified due to DBnomics data issue.
Triggered: 2022-11
Real Sales Peak
Real retail sales peaked at $226,329M in August 2025. Currently $224,606M and falling. Could be the peak.
Recession
What happens during the downturn
Recession Starts
No recession declared by NBER.
Yield Curve Uninverts
Yield curve returned to positive in September 2024. Currently +0.51%.
Triggered: 2024-09
Real Income Peak
Real personal income (ex transfers) at a new 12-month high. Still climbing.
Easing Starts
Fed began cutting rates September 2024. Rate now stable at 3.64%.
Triggered: 2024-09
New Orders Trough
ISM New Orders at 47.7. Still in contraction, no clear trough.
Market Low
S&P 500 at 6,506. Falling from Feb high but still historically elevated.
PMI Trough
ISM PMI data unreliable from DBnomics. Cannot determine trough.
Housing Permits Trough
Housing permits at 1,376K and falling. 12-month low was 1,330K in Aug 2025. No confirmed trough.
Industrial Production Trough
Industrial production at new highs. No trough.
Recovery
Signs the recession is ending
Recession Ends
No recession to end.
Real Sales Trough
Real retail sales falling but no trough confirmed.
Real Income Trough
No contraction yet. Still at highs.
Unemployment High
Unemployment rising but no confirmed peak. 12-month high was 4.5% in Nov 2025.
Easing Ends
Fed Funds stable at 3.64%. Easing may have paused but not officially ended.
Earnings Trough
Corporate profits recovering from Q1 2025 dip ($4,006B). Not bottomed in a recession context.
New Orders Contraction Ends
ISM New Orders still below 50. Contraction continues.
PMI Contraction Ends
ISM PMI data unreliable. Cannot assess.
CPI YoY Trough
CPI YoY at 2.44%. Well below the 9.1% peak but not in a deflationary trough.
About this framework
TXMC (also known as Alpha Beta Soup) is a macro commentator who developed this recession sequence model by analysing historical data from the 1920s onwards. The framework tracks economic indicators in the chronological order they typically fire during a recession cycle.
The sequence follows a predictable pattern: monetary tightening leads to peaking orders and PMI, which leads to yield curve inversion, rising unemployment, peaking industrial production and CPI, then tightening ends, new orders contract, real sales peak, and recession begins.
Each recession is unique, but this sequence represents the historical norm. The value is in tracking progress through the sequence to understand where we are in the cycle, not in predicting exact timing.