It looks like the decline has been generated largely because of excess optimism in the housing construction market a month ago which was not sustained. |
It's a larger fall than we anticipated. This is pretty weak stuff. |
Price growth is on a softening trend and we continue to believe that the outlook for the housing market over the medium term is one of flat to falling prices. |
purely because it is so erratic. |
Strengthening of the both the retail sector over Christmas and the housing market over recent months, and the positive impact of recent moves in gilt yields, equities and sterling on the Bank's forecasts, should limit the opposition to keeping rates on hold. |
Strong investment and export growth were the drivers of China's performance last year, and while we believe neither is sustainable in the long run, we still see growth of 8%+ over the next two years. |
The general picture from the housing market has not changed, |
The January numbers looked overly weak, in light of recent developments in the housing market so some recovery in these figures was to be expected. |
The more pressing need for companies to address their pension fund deficits has no doubt been an important reason for weaker investment. |
The prospects for a rate cut have certainly increased. You have weaker inflation and in addition there are risks to gross domestic product growth. |
The sell-off at the short end (of the yield curve) is understandable in light of this data, with the market now pricing 50 basis points of rate hikes by the end of next year. |
The strengthening of both the retail sector over Christmas and the housing market over recent months should limit the opposition to keeping rates on hold next week. |
This points to interest rates on hold, at least in the near-term. But we continue to expect that the pressure for a further move will build later in the year as the global economy slows and domestic demand fails to inspire. |
This was a great quarter for 3M with broad-based contributions from our diverse portfolio and particularly strong results in our industrial and electronics-related businesses. |
We are conscious that the data will need to weaken significantly from current levels before the committee would feel comfortable with easing policy. |