A slowdown — but no recession. That's the broad consensus for the economy among experts as we head into 2024. After a post-pandemic period that saw growth surpass most forecasts — but also spurred breakneck inflation — Americans should now expect a period of reduced business activity. Yet while some economists believe the risk of a recession will remain, others think a "soft landing" is more likely. That oft-talked-about scenario is understood as a combination of milder inflation alongside slow-and-steady employment growth. "There's more hope for it [a soft landing] going into 2024 than there had been heading into 2023," said Greg…
