Larry Kudlow is predicting a strong V shaped economic recovery in 2010.  His reasons for this prediction are a steep positive yield curve and the rising stock market.  While Mr. Kudlow is a top notch economist and I appreciate his optimism, here is why I believe he is wrong.

Yield Curve

A steep positive yield curve is not necessarily a good predictor of the strength of the economy.  As seen in the chart below, the yield curve was positive and above the 80 year average throughout the 1930s and this did not portend strong economic growth.

(Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/23870-an-80-year-yield-curve-history-and-its-implications (12/24/09), An 80-Year Yield Curve and its Implications, Shaw, Richard, “Seeking Alpha.”

In the 1970s, the yield curve was positive and above the 80 year average for much of the decade and this did not portend strong economic growth.  The 60s saw the yield curve below the 80 year average and negative twice, which did not signal weak economic growth.