look for the clay drainage pipes being delivered
Look for the trucks carrying clay drainage pipes - that is the sign of an upturn. I suppose the modern version is count the cranes in the middle of cities.
Look for the differences in this downturn.
60% of homeowners have equity compared to 10% in the last recession.
More pensioners wanting to fly to their second homes.
The big problem is that in the future the Government cannot afford to pay the pensions of their civil servants/ military.
The Companies paying fat pensions will find the pension pot has reduced in value.
The home owners will find less and less equity in their homes.
Still, forecasting the Economy is as difficult as applying a model based on experience to forecast the weather.
Those with money will make money. Those without will have to dream.