London Report: Growth figures set to show UK’s strong recovery
GROWTH figures for the fourth quarter are expected to give further proof of Britain’s booming recovery.
Economists predict expansion of 0.8 per cent in the final three months – giving the UK its strongest yearly growth since 2007.
Jonathan Loynes, of Capital economics, said: “We think that the preliminary estimate of GDP in the fourth quarter will probably match the third quarter’s 0.8 per cent rate of expansion.
“Signs point to strong non-retail spending growth, while surveys of both exports and investment intentions rose in the fourth quarter.
“This would take annual growth in 2013 as a whole to 1.9 per cent, the best performance since 2007.”
In other economic news, the Nationwide house survey will be released on Wednesday and UK consumer credit and mortgage approval figures are due on Thursday.
On Friday the GfK consumer confidence figures will be released, along with the Lloyds business barometer plus Eurozone unemployment and inflation figures.
The corporate calendar starts with full-year results from Porvair and updates from APR Energy, Aveva Group and Jersey Electricity.
Tomorrow Crest Nicholson is due to give its yearly figures, while Afren, British Land, Carpetright, Filtronic Fresnillo and Globo will reveal their latest trading updates.
On Wednesday Anglo American, Anglo, Platinum, Antofagasta, Britvic, BTC , F&C Asset Management and Staffline Group are all due to report.
Thursday is a busy day for earnings, with full-year results from Jupiter Second Split Trust and Safestore Holdings.
British Sky Broadcasting Group, Diageo, Haynes Publishing and Rainshaw are set to give interim reports. Investors are likely to want assurances from BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch after the firm’s defeat in the Champions League rights auction in November.
Also on Thursday, trading updates are due from 888 Holdings, 3i Group, Euromoney Institutional Investor, Fuller Smith & Turner, Great Portland Estates, Hansa Trust, ITE Group, Johnson Matthey, Kazakhmys, National Grid, Playtech, Polyus Gold International and United Utilities.
On Friday Air Partner, Aon, BT Group, KCOM Group, Rank Group and Vendanta resources will all give figures.