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UK GDP growth figures released - live updates UK GDP growth figures released - live updates
(34 minutes later)
8.50am GMT08:50
Today’s growth figures may raise the spectre that Britain’s economy becomes increasingly unbalanced next year.
Jeremy Cook of foreign exchange firm World First explains how service sector companies have outpaced their rivals recently:
Industrial numbers have remained weak through Q3 but consumption has remained strong, although we did see a temporary blip midway through the quarter. Exports are said to be more difficult given the strength of the pound and the weakness in crucial export markets.
As we get ready for Halloween, we think that today’s number is unlikely to send market observers scurrying behind the sofa but may give new voice to concerns around the imbalances in growth moving into 2016.
World First Morning Update October 27th - UK GDP set to show slight slowing - https://t.co/FRrv01UVKa
8.37am GMT08:37
Robert Wood, chief UK economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, also predicts that growth slowed to 0.5% in the last three months.
He just told Bloomberg TV that he expects today’s GDP figure to be weaker than three month ago because UK manufacturing was weak last quarter. And that’s because the global economy was weaker.
Wood believes that “strong domestic demand” will continue to drive UK growth, with real wages now rising at around 3%.
Updated at 8.37am GMT
8.31am GMT08:31
My colleague Katie Allen has rounded up the key charts that show the state of the UK economy, setting the scene for today’s growth figures.
It includes this one, showing how the construction sector has struggled in recent months:
Katie explains:
Like manufacturing, the construction sector – which accounts for about 6% of the economy – is unlikely to have contributed to overall economic growth in the third quarter.
Construction experienced sharp drops in output in July and August and it seems unlikely that September saw enough of a rebound to make up for that slow summer.
More here:
Related: GDP: UK economy in five charts
8.18am GMT08:188.18am GMT08:18
Mikael Olai Milhøj of Denmark’s Danske Bank, reckons that UK growth slowed to 0.5% in the last quarter, down from 0.7% in Q2.Mikael Olai Milhøj of Denmark’s Danske Bank, reckons that UK growth slowed to 0.5% in the last quarter, down from 0.7% in Q2.
He points out that construction and manufacturing surveys over the summer were disappointing. He predicts that construction will have knocked 0.1% off today’s growth number, while manufacturing will have been flat.He points out that construction and manufacturing surveys over the summer were disappointing. He predicts that construction will have knocked 0.1% off today’s growth number, while manufacturing will have been flat.
That leaves us depending on the service sector once again.....That leaves us depending on the service sector once again.....
Some charts on the #UK business cycle. We think growth slowed to 0.5%q/q in Q3, still service-driven https://t.co/uTsT4y9ExY $eurgbp $usdgbpSome charts on the #UK business cycle. We think growth slowed to 0.5%q/q in Q3, still service-driven https://t.co/uTsT4y9ExY $eurgbp $usdgbp
8.17am GMT08:178.17am GMT08:17
Reuters polled 59 City economists about today’s GDP figures. Estimates ranged from growth of just +0.3% up to +0.8%. Reuters polled 59 City economists about today’s GDP figures. Estimates ranged from growth of just +0.3% up to +0.8%, leading to an average prediction of +0.6%.
The City hasn’t done too badly at guessing GDP recently - although it had a shocker a few years ago when the economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.5% in Q4 2010....
Updated at 8.23am GMT
7.53am GMT07:537.53am GMT07:53
The Agenda: It's UK GDP DayThe Agenda: It's UK GDP Day
Good morning.Good morning.
We’re kicking off a busy few days for the global economy with live coverage of the latest UK growth figures.We’re kicking off a busy few days for the global economy with live coverage of the latest UK growth figures.
Today’s GDP figures, released on the dot of 9.30am GMT, will provide the first official snapshot of how the economy performed between July and September.Today’s GDP figures, released on the dot of 9.30am GMT, will provide the first official snapshot of how the economy performed between July and September.
Economists predict that growth slowed, to a quarterly rate of around 0.6% from 0.7% in the second quarter.Economists predict that growth slowed, to a quarterly rate of around 0.6% from 0.7% in the second quarter.
That’s due to chillier winds from the global economy, with UK exporters suffering from weaker demand from overseas. But there have also been signs that the UK domestic economy has lost some momentum this summer, particularly in the construction sector.That’s due to chillier winds from the global economy, with UK exporters suffering from weaker demand from overseas. But there have also been signs that the UK domestic economy has lost some momentum this summer, particularly in the construction sector.
A weak GDP reading would fuel concerns that the recovery is faltering; another headache for chancellor George Osborne, a day after the House of Lords voted to delay his controversial tax credit cuts.A weak GDP reading would fuel concerns that the recovery is faltering; another headache for chancellor George Osborne, a day after the House of Lords voted to delay his controversial tax credit cuts.
But stronger growth would raise the chances that the Bank of England raises interest rates sooner rather than later.But stronger growth would raise the chances that the Bank of England raises interest rates sooner rather than later.
Three months ago, the UK economy finally exceeded its pre-crisis level on a per-capita basis (ie, economic power adjusted for population changes), nearly seven year after the financial crisis struck.Three months ago, the UK economy finally exceeded its pre-crisis level on a per-capita basis (ie, economic power adjusted for population changes), nearly seven year after the financial crisis struck.
But Britain’s dominant service sector is the only part of the economy that’s actually bigger than in 2008 - manufacturing, construction and agriculture are still playing catch-up:But Britain’s dominant service sector is the only part of the economy that’s actually bigger than in 2008 - manufacturing, construction and agriculture are still playing catch-up:
Britain is Europe’s second largest economy, so today’s growth figures have international significance at a crucial time for the world economy. Last week, China reported that its growth had slowed, raising fears over the global economic outlook.Britain is Europe’s second largest economy, so today’s growth figures have international significance at a crucial time for the world economy. Last week, China reported that its growth had slowed, raising fears over the global economic outlook.
That will occupy the attention of the US Federal Reserve, America’s central bank, which begins a two-day policy meeting today. They’re likely to leave borrowing costs at their record lows yet again.That will occupy the attention of the US Federal Reserve, America’s central bank, which begins a two-day policy meeting today. They’re likely to leave borrowing costs at their record lows yet again.
On Thursday, we find out how the US economy performed in the third quarter. Economists predict that quarterly growth slowed to below 0.4%, from above 0.5%.On Thursday, we find out how the US economy performed in the third quarter. Economists predict that quarterly growth slowed to below 0.4%, from above 0.5%.
And on Friday, the Japanese central bank will issue new economic projections. With Japan’s economy faltering too, it could soon be forced into fresh stimulus measures....And on Friday, the Japanese central bank will issue new economic projections. With Japan’s economy faltering too, it could soon be forced into fresh stimulus measures....
Updated at 8.00am GMTUpdated at 8.00am GMT