What is typically the first step in the business cycle?

The first step in the business cycle is expansion. This phase marks a period of economic growth where various indicators such as employment, consumer spending, and production increase. During expansion, businesses invest in new projects, hire more staff, and overall economic activity rises.

As the economy continues to expand, it moves towards a peak, which is the highest point of the business cycle before a downturn begins. However, expansion itself is crucial because it initiates the cycle of economic growth and development. Other phases, like recession and trough, occur later in the cycle, indicating economic decline and recovery stages, respectively. The expansion phase sets the foundation for a healthy economy and is essential for driving improvements in living standards and business opportunities.