It's Official: The Stock Market Is in a Correction

"The next couple of months will mean a considerable setback in economic activity worldwide," Shilling tells ThinkAdvisor. "Will the coronavirus come under control or be the trigger mechanism for a recession? With the world already growing so slowly, it doesn't take much to tip into recession."

Shilling had been expecting a recession for much of last year, then softened that forecast in late 2019 because the usual catalysts were missing such as excesses in the economy that would cause the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

Now he's watching the U.S. consumer, "the only source of strength in the U.S. and on the global stage … If we see decided weakness in the U.S. consumer, that's it for the global economy."

Shilling favors long Treasury bonds — "the safe haven in a sea of global trouble" — and defensive sectors in the stock market, including consumer staples and utilities.

Ten-year and 30-year Treasury yields have fallen to record lows at 1.28% and 1.78%, respectively, and the yield curve has inverted between the 10-year note and three-month bill, a sign of impending recession if its lasts. (The yield has not inverted between the two-year and 10-year Treasury which some economists believe is a better forecaster of recession.)

Steve Liberatore, portfolio manager for Nuveen's global fixed income team, says he's not so sure about a recession coming this year, only a slower economy, but "it's reasonable to think that bond yields will continue to fall."

Before the coronavirus news hit, "bonds were too rich" with "spreads "too tight," said Liberatore. "Now I don't know the ramifications [of the coronavirus]. "The multiplier effect is unknown."

Liberatore expects continued volatility in the bond market and, if the U.S. economy slows substantially, a Fed rate cut, possibly as large as 50 basis points instead of the usual 25.