House prices are likely to remain relatively flat for an extended period, |
If house prices start to accelerate markedly, we believe buyer interest will diminish, thereby keeping a lid on prices. |
If this is confirmed, it will reinforce our suspicion that the December performance was inflated by many consumers opening their wallets to treat their families and themselves at Christmas having held back their spending over much of 2005. |
In economic terms at least, Wednesday's budget seems set to be a very low key affair. |
It appears that significant discounting is still needed to boost sales volumes. |
It appears that strong competitive pressures on the high street and through the supply chain are continuing to contain any second round inflationary effects of high oil and energy prices. |
It currently seems a pretty safe bet that interest rates will not change for several more months to come, if at all this year. |
It seems a nailed-on certainty that the Bank of England will hold interest rates steady on Thursday, |
Manufacturers will be hoping that healthier growth in the euro zone and a recently softer pound will increasingly feed through to give them with a significant boost in 2006. |
Mr Brown will clearly look to take advantage of the budget to further his credentials to take over as prime minister from Mr Blair. |
Nevertheless, limited core inflation in January will not deter the ECB from hiking interest rates by a further 25 basis points on Thursday. |
No change was no surprise, given recent overall evidence of modestly stronger economic activity and a more robust housing market. |
Our Sunday lunches have been an excellent flagship because that is often many people's first experience of our menus. |
Overall, the mortgage approvals and lending data indicate that the more robust housing market activity evident in the second half of 2005 has continued into 2006. |
Pretty healthy retail sales growth in November reinforces belief that consumer spending is picking up to some extent, and reduces the case for a near-term interest rate cut. |