Moody's Talks - Inside Economics Zandi's Angst
11 snips
Oct 31, 2025 Chris Lafakis, Director of Economic Research at Moody's Analytics, explores the economic impact of hurricanes. He discusses Hurricane Melissa's effects on Jamaica, highlighting damage and economic losses due to low insurance coverage. Lafakis also dives into a study predicting catastrophic consequences for Miami's economy from a severe hurricane, detailing GDP declines and property value shocks. The conversation touches on the importance of federal aid and the role of catastrophe bonds in managing insurance gaps, making for a compelling discussion on disaster preparedness.
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Dinner At Tiffany's
- Mark describes attending a client dinner at Tiffany's and being surprised by the restaurant inside the jewelry store.
- He found the experience novel and the food fantastic.
GDP Versus Jobs Schizophrenia
- Layoff announcements and anecdotal signals make the economy feel worse than headline GDP suggests.
- GDP growth (~2%) and weak job growth create a confusing, schizophrenic economic picture.
AI May Tip A Fragile Firewall
- AI's early effects are visible in tech but haven't yet caused broad job losses.
- Mark worries supply-side AI changes could accelerate layoffs and threaten the current firewall against recession.
