UK Data Response Industrial Production (Jan.) January’s official figures show that a steady recovery in industrial production is still underway, despite the pound’s recent appreciation and the continued weakness of demand in key European export... 11th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Feb.) Although the latest BRC figures suggest that the recovery in retail sales lost some momentum in February, this does little to alter our view that 2014 should be a good year for consumer spending. 11th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Services (Feb.) February’s CIPS/Markit services survey suggested that the economic recovery still has considerable momentum but is not prompting inflationary pressures to build. 5th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS Report on Manuf. (Feb.) & Mortgage Approvals (Jan.) February’s CIPS manufacturing report confirmed that the sector’s recovery has not been knocked off course by sterling’s appreciation. Meanwhile, although the latest data show mortgage lending is... 3rd March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Feb.) February’s GfK/NOP survey showed consumer confidence holding steady at its joint highest level since August 2007. And there is scope for it to rise this year. 28th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GDP: Second Estimate & Expenditure Breakdown (Q4 13) The second estimate of Q4 GDP provided further reassurance that the economic recovery is becoming better balanced and is therefore set to last. 26th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Distributive Trades Survey (Feb & Q1.) February’s strong CBI Distributive Trades Survey should sweep away any concerns fostered by January’s fall in the official measure of retail sales volumes that the recovery in retail spending is... 25th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales & Public Finances (Jan.) The sharp monthly drop in retail sales volumes in January is unlikely to herald the start of a consumer spending slowdown. Meanwhile, the fiscal consolidation remains on track despite January’s... 21st February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Labour Data (Dec./Jan.) & MPC Minutes (Feb.) The latest labour market data showed that there is still plenty of spare capacity in the job market. Since the minutes of February’s MPC meeting confirmed that the Committee is committed to... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices & Producer Prices (Jan.) January’s consumer prices figures showed that inflationary pressures are continuing to ease steadily and so presented another reason to be upbeat about the outlook for GDP growth this year. 18th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Bank of England Inflation Report (Feb 14.) The revamp of the Bank of England’s forward guidance unveiled in February’s Inflation Report is likely to shift the emphasis back to the benign outlook for inflation and should therefore ensure that... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Jan.) January’s BRC sales figures provided further evidence that 2014 got off to a good start for retailers. And, nothwithstanding the erratic nature of the monthly indicators, the outlook for the consumer... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Industrial Production & Trade (Dec.) December’s figures on industrial production and trade offered mixed signals on the economy’s attempts at rebalancing. And this so-so picture is unlikely to change anytime soon. 7th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Services (Jan.14) The further deterioration of the CIPS/Markit services survey in January after the slight slowdown in GDP growth in Q4 may raise concerns that the recovery is starting to lose momentum. But there are... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Manufacturing (Jan.) Although the CIPS/Markit manufacturing survey weakened further in January, it continues to suggest that the industrial sector is enjoying a robust recovery and making a punchy contribution to overall... 3rd February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Jan.) January’s GfK/NOP confidence survey suggested that consumers started the year in high spirits. And with real earnings likely to rise this year for the first time since 2007, there is scope for... 31st January 2014 · 1 min read