UK Economics Chart Pack Pick-up in spending will be difficult to sustain While consumer spending has shown some signs of life in the first part of this year, the momentum will be difficult to sustain. Although some of the measures announced by the Chancellor in the Budget... 22nd March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Inflation concerns continue to build Investors have become increasingly worried about the inflation outlook. 10-year break-even rates (which reflect expectations for RPI inflation) have risen to 3.4% – their highest rate since September... 13th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Recession risks remain The economy is still flirting with a further contraction in GDP in the first quarter. Indeed, the weighted average of the three CIPS surveys in February suggested on the basis of past form that output... 5th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Real pay to fall for longer Recent developments have darkened the outlook for inflation and therefore imply that the squeeze on real pay is likely to persist to the very end of 2013. The recent rise in oil prices suggests that... 18th February 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Spectre of triple-dip looms The contraction in GDP in the final quarter of last year means that the economy may have entered a triple-dip recession. This downturn now looks even more dismal by previous standards. Admittedly, the... 5th February 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack A lacklustre festive season 2012 seems to have ended on a fairly underwhelming note with consumers relatively cautious over the festive period. 18th January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Another year of stagnation lies ahead The first news of the new year has been modestly encouraging. Nonetheless, it is hard to see where any meaningful growth will come from this year. We have cut our forecast for GDP growth this year... 3rd January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Retailers losing their nerve After a sluggish start to high street spending over the festive period, retailers appear to be losing their nerve and engaging in more widespread price discounting. And prospects for next year are not... 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Activity relapses in Q4 Following the strong rise in GDP in the third quarter, the more recent news has been disappointing. 4th December 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Real pay prospects deteriorate Although real consumer spending probably rose in the third quarter, that could be as good as it gets for a while. 16th November 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Green shoots tentatively emerge The last month has seen some tentatively encouraging news about the economy. But the good news might not last for long; the economy could contract in the last quarter of the year. 1st November 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Renewed income squeeze looms Real consumer spending looks on course to have grown in the third quarter. And following some upward revisions to past spending, it could rise a touch in 2012 as a whole, compared to our previous... 19th October 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack External imbalances getting worse The widening of the current account deficit to a record 5.4% of GDP in the second quarter put paid to any hopes of a rebalancing in the economy. The deterioration mainly reflected a deficit on the UK... 3rd October 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Spending likely to have grown in Q3 Following its fall in the second quarter, real household spending appears to have put in a stronger performance in Q3. Although retail sales volumes fell back a touch in August, spending on the high... 21st September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Latest figures compound fiscal dilemma The poor run of public borrowing figures and growing calls for the Government to do more to support the economy have intensified the fiscal dilemma facing the Chancellor. 5th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Olympics to help sales maintain momentum After a slow start, it looks like the Olympic Games have provided a reasonable boost to high street spending. 17th August 2012 · 1 min read