The economy is shaping up to be one of the biggest issues of the presidential election. That's not surprising as Americans have endured the highest inflation cycle in 40 years, following a surge in the money supply due to trillions in stimulus spending during the pandemic. A recent Motley Fool survey showed 60% of respondents considered inflation a top financial priority in the election.

The good news is the actual inflation rate is nearing the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, but prices remain high, especially in crucial sectors like housing where the country faces an estimated shortage of 4.5 million homes, according to Zillow, after years of underbuilding.

The stock market is often seen as a key barometer for the economy. After all, major indexes like the S 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are reported on every day by major news outlets. If a recession were to take place, for example, one of the first signs would likely be a declining stock market.

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Source Fool.com