Are Deep Recessions Followed by Strong Recoveries?

We examine the hypothesis that deep recessions are followed by strong recoveries using a monthly data set for industrial production covering the period 1884-1990. There is a statistically significant relationship between growth in the first twelve months of a recovery and the peak-to-trough decline in industrial activity. This effect is still found when we exclude the Great Depression from our sample. We find no evidence that the length of the recession affects the strength of the subsequent recovery