Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Business Information Service: This Week

Helen Kay
Saturday 15 January 1994 20:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Monday

With all quiet on the corporate front for the next few weeks, attention is likely to focus on various economic data. Producer price data for December should give little cause for concern, with the cost of raw materials depressed along with the oil price. Prices at the factory gate are also expected to stay flat, with inflation holding at about 3.6 per cent year on year. Cold weather, boosting the energy sector output, may help to see a 0.5 per cent rise in November's industrial output.

Tuesday

The CBI's December distributive trades survey will be released.

Wednesday

The PSBR will increase to pounds 5.4bn in December, bringing the cumulative total for 1993-94 to pounds 33.6bn. The figures should confirm that the Government is on target in its projected pounds 50bn deficit for the entire financial year.

The first effects of the Budget rises in indirect taxation will show in December's retail prices, pushing the retail price index higher. However, low petrol prices are expected to keep the rise to 0.3 per cent month on month. Pre-Christmas trading should also perk up December's retail sales figures, although forecasts suggest the increase will be a modest 0.4 per cent.

Thursday

Gestetner, the photocopier business, is expected to turn in pre-tax losses of pounds 33.5m for the year ended October 1993, after exceptional charges of at least pounds 48m. Budgens, the food chain, is likely to unveil a small drop in its interim profits, reflecting the cost of refurbishments and closures.

Friday

Provisional figures, already released, suggest the narrow money supply rose sharply, by one per cent, in December. The broad money supply is expected to increase by 0.3 per cent for the same period, with lending growth, at about pounds 2bn, returning to normal after a sluggish November.

Sources: MMS International, NatWest Securities, Nomura

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in