Economic Panel Fears New Recession Soon
The nation's economy will experience ÛÏsolid but slower" growth through the end of the year, but ÛÏmay soon lurch into another recession" without major policy changes, the Conference Board said yesterday.</br></br>The corporate-sponsored business research organizationÛªs Economic Forum of 12 economists and analysts said in its midyear report that there are ÛÏdeep and widespread fearsÛ about the economy in 1985 and beyond.</br></br>The forum projected that inflation will be between 5 and 6 percent through the end of the year, but may heat up to ÛÏa threatening 8 percent to 10 percentÛ by mid-1985. Some members predicted a major slump for the construction industry ÛÏand the economy as a wholeÛ next year.</br></br>The Senate voted yesterday to increase the penalty for so-called ÛÏinsider trading" in securities and stock options.</br></br>The Securities and Exchange Commission currently can ask the courts to force insider traders to give up their gains and enjoin them from future violations of securities law.