There is great incentive to show good numbers even when all is going downhill.[0]

Even greater incentive when the authorities tasked with safeguarding financial securities and markets don't know whether they are looking at a recession or it just hit them on the face.

There's been a great deal of public deception over the past 2-3 years on matters gdp, growth and overall market performance. The chicken has to come home to roost eventually.

[0] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-companies-are-becoming...