UK Data Response Preliminary GDP (Q4) The preliminary estimate of Q4 GDP confirmed that the UK economy’s recovery is becoming increasingly entrenched. While risks remain, 2014 looks set for a further acceleration in growth. 28th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Distributive Trades Survey (Jan.) Following mixed reports on Christmas sales, January’s CBI Distributive Trades Survey suggests that retailers have seen only a slow start to the new year. But retail prospects should brighten as 2014... 23rd January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Labour Data, MPC Mins (Jan.) & Pub. Fin. (Dec.) Today’s figures show that conditions are continuing to improve rapidly in the labour market. But the further fall in the unemployment rate is unlikely to trigger an imminent interest rate hike by the... 22nd January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Industrial Trends Survey (Jan. & Q1) The CBI’s Industrial Trends Survey for January and the first quarter of 2014 provided grounds for optimism on the pace and balance of the economic recovery. 21st January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Dec.) With December’s hefty monthly growth in retail sales, the consumer recovery seems to be at full steam. That said, the official data is at odds with other evidence and suggests that the retail sector... 17th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices & Producer Prices (Dec.) The fall in CPI inflation in December to the 2% target for the first time in four years shows that the economic recovery is not prompting price pressures to build. Indeed, CPI inflation looks likely... 14th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Industrial Production & Construction Output (Nov.) November’s industrial production and construction figures signal that Q4 GDP growth is unlikely to have been quite as strong as the activity surveys have indicated. Nonetheless, GDP still seems likely... 10th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Dec.) December’s BRC sales figures supported anecdotal evidence that retailers had a somewhat mixed Christmas period and added to evidence that sales growth slowed in Q4. But 2014 looks set to present a... 10th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Trade (Nov.) The trade figures have continued to pour cold water on hopes of an export-led recovery. And with little sign that a noteworthy recovery is emerging in the euro-zone, exports look set to remain subdued... 9th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Services (Dec.) Although the CIPS services survey softened again in December, it still suggests that the recovery was strong at the end of 2013. And with the survey showing confidence rising and new business growing... 6th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS Report on Manufacturing (Dec.) December's CIPS/Markit manufacturing survey indicated that the industrial recovery has remained strong and so provided another sign that the economic recovery is the product of more than just an... 2nd January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Nat. Acc., Bal. of Pay. (Q3) & Public Finances (Nov.) While the national accounts showed that the economic recovery has been stronger than previously thought this year, they also provided a few reasons to doubt that it will be able to maintain its recent... 20th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Dec.) December’s GfK/NOP confidence survey suggested that consumers have become slightly less optimistic in the run-up to Christmas. But as the squeeze on real earnings eases, there is scope for confidence... 20th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Nov.) While retail sales volumes rose in November, this made up only part of the previous month’s drop. So it is touch-and-go as to whether Q4 will see an expansion in sales volumes. But 2014 should see the... 19th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Distributive Trades Survey (Dec.) Following a subdued few months, December’s CBI Distributive Trades Survey suggests that retailers are enjoying a decent run-up to the Christmas period. And sales growth may pick up further before the... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Labour Data (Oct./Nov.) & MPC Minutes (Dec.) While the latest labour market figures have raised the chances that the jobless rate falls below the MPC’s 7% threshold in 2014, December’s minutes suggested that the benign inflation outlook will... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
