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Survey Says... Global Economics Weekly |
Global Economics Weekly Brief
Survey Says...
If nothing else, the UK General Election confirmed the need always to approach surveys cautiously. Nevertheless, the reported business optimism of UK and US service sector managers suggests both economies stepped up a gear in April.
These surveys should prove to be more reliable. More challenges ahead globally!.....
The more things change the more they stay the same. The Conservatives won a majority of seats in Westminster, meaning a change of UK Government if not a change in Prime Minister or Chancellor. A key requirement for the new Government will be a new spending review detailing exactly how much government departments will get to spend over the next five years. In the meantime the public sector will continue to work to the tax and spending plans laid out by the Coalition until an emergency Budget is called, possibly June. The UK needs to spend less and save more for the future!....
Solid start. Business managers in Britain's dominant service sector are in buoyant mood. April's services’ Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), the first for Q2, rose to 59.5, significantly above the 50-threshold that separates expansion from contraction. That's the fastest rate of expansion for eight months, suggesting the UK economy is growing faster than the 0.3% estimated for Q1. And as service firms do more business they hire more staff. So, the early summer outlook for both businesses and workers alike seems sunny. When you have an excellent strategy with the `right` people the future will be successful!....
A breather. The UK construction sector added to a disappointing first quarter by reporting a slowdown in growth in April. The sector’s PMI reading stumbled from 57.8 to 54.2. Nonetheless, it’s above 50 and growth is growth. Perhaps surprisingly, house-building slowed by more than commercial property construction and civil engineering projects. That should prove temporary and cement mixers should start turning faster in the months ahead. The future is more promising now there is a new Conservative UK government in the driving seat!....
Cannot buy, will not buy. This year is turning into a real challenge for UK exporters. The value of UK exports of goods and services fell by 1%y/y in Q1. Conditions are unfavourable not least because of the slowdown in many emerging markets and, as yet, exporters are yet to feel the benefit of the nascent euro zone recovery. Indeed, the UK's goods trade deficit with the EU reached £21.5bn, double the amount of just four years ago. Stronger demand from the euro zone, particularly economic heavies like Germany, France and even Italy, would provide a real and well needed-boost to UK exporters. The future will/could be rosy!...
Latin learners. News that the euro zone economy is growing again will be welcomed on both sides of the channel. The latest PMI survey data for the region showed that output continued to grow in April and at a rate around 0.5%q/q. That's faster than the current estimate for both the UK and the US. Spain is growing at its fastest rate in eight and a half years and even Italy's growth is at a 10-month high. Yet it was Groundhog Day again for France's economy, which barely grew in April. Still more challenges ahead!....
Relax. After a run of ropey numbers the US economy seems to be back on track, adding 223,000 jobs in April. The unemployment rate remained at 5.4%, meaning a growing economy is attracting people back to the job market. That increasing supply of workers is one reason wage growth was muted. If you want to worry about one thing for the US it's productivity. Output barely grew in Q1 but employment increased. Has “The Puzzle” crossed The Pond? This is a global issue!..
More to come. If the Institute of Supply Management is correct, the US is set to bounce back from a disappointing Q1. The non-manufacturing sector index jumped by 1.3 points to 57.8 in April. That should mean brisk growth in the part of the economy that accounts for more than 85% of output. Particularly encouraging was the strengthening of new orders, which suggests expansion will continue. Job growth remained strong but inflation was nowhere to be seen. Message to the Fed: take the next few months off. Watch this space!....
An old seesaw. With the US, UK and now euro zone PMIs looking healthy, we could expect the global PMI to tell a similar story. But that’s not quite the case. In contrast to the advanced economies, the emerging markets PMI fell to a three-month low of 51.3 in April, with China registering its weakest reading since January. Similarly India's PMI was the weakest since October while Brazil's economic troubles resulted in the lowest reading since the financial crisis. When you add both advanced and emerging economies together the global PMI is at its long-run average and it’s being led by the old world not the new. There is a general global slow down...so be very careful!....
About the Author Colin Thompson
Colin is a former successful Managing Director of Transactional/Document Manufacturing Plants, Document Management/Workflow Solutions companies and other organisations, former Group Chairman of the Academy for Chief Executives, Non-Executive Director, Mentor - RFU Leadership Academy, Mentor - Coventry University, Mentor - The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, author/writer Business Advice Section for IPEX, Graphic Display World, NewsUSA, GraphicStart, many others globally, helping companies raise their `bottom-line` and `increase cash flow`. Plus, helping individuals to be successful in business and life in general. Author of several publications, research reports, guides, business and educational models on CD-ROM/Software/PDF and over 2000 articles and 35 books published on business and educational subjects worldwide. Plus, International Speaker/Visiting University Professor.
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Written and submitted by:
Dr Colin Thompson
Managing Partner
Direct: + 44 (0) 121 247 4589
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email: colin@cavendish-mr.org.uk
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The Cavendish Academy
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-tc85tw-gbkla9w4-1f/vgh/3212542/
Survey Says... Global Economics Weekly
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