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UK GDP: Britain's economy grew by 0.4% as Brexit slowdown continues - business live UK GDP: Britain's economy grew by 0.4% as Brexit slowdown continues - business live
(35 minutes later)
3.18pm BST
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US home sales for September have jumped sharply to the highest level in a decade, confounding expectations of a small decline.
US New Home Sales Change Sep: 667K (exp 554K; R prev 661K) -New Home Sales (M/M) Sep: 18.9% (exp -1.1%; R prev -3.6%)
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Uncertain start for Wall StreetUncertain start for Wall Street
After their recent record breaking run, US markets have paused for breath.After their recent record breaking run, US markets have paused for breath.
A handful of companies including Chipotle and AMD released underwhelming updates, giving investors an excuse to hold fire after what has up until now been a positive earnings season.A handful of companies including Chipotle and AMD released underwhelming updates, giving investors an excuse to hold fire after what has up until now been a positive earnings season.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently down around 2 points while the S&P 500 opened 2.79 points lower and the Nasdaq Composite lost 10.62 points.The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently down around 2 points while the S&P 500 opened 2.79 points lower and the Nasdaq Composite lost 10.62 points.
2.24pm BST2.24pm BST
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Back with UK GDP, and here are chancellor Philip Hammond’s latest thoughts on the figures:Back with UK GDP, and here are chancellor Philip Hammond’s latest thoughts on the figures:
Innovation will power the British economy of the future. My thoughts on the UK GDP statistics out today. pic.twitter.com/T97unCi5KoInnovation will power the British economy of the future. My thoughts on the UK GDP statistics out today. pic.twitter.com/T97unCi5Ko
2.21pm BST2.21pm BST
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On the latest US data, Dennis de Jong, managing director of UFX.com, said:On the latest US data, Dennis de Jong, managing director of UFX.com, said:
President Trump will be heartened by today’s durable goods orders, which have come in well above expectations and point towards a manufacturing sector performing strongly, despite an uncertain economic backdrop.President Trump will be heartened by today’s durable goods orders, which have come in well above expectations and point towards a manufacturing sector performing strongly, despite an uncertain economic backdrop.
The challenge for Trump will be maintaining this momentum, with a big decision due in the coming weeks on the future Janet Yellen as Fed chair.The challenge for Trump will be maintaining this momentum, with a big decision due in the coming weeks on the future Janet Yellen as Fed chair.
Having run on a jobs platform during last year’s election, the president will also need to find a way of ensuring that strong manufacturing performance leads to an uptick in job and wage growth.Having run on a jobs platform during last year’s election, the president will also need to find a way of ensuring that strong manufacturing performance leads to an uptick in job and wage growth.
2.19pm BST2.19pm BST
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US capital goods orders beat forecastsUS capital goods orders beat forecasts
Over in the US, there have also been some better than expected economic figures.Over in the US, there have also been some better than expected economic figures.
New orders for US made capital goods - excluding defence and aircraft - jumped 1.3% in September, better than the 0.5% rise expected by analysts. The August figure was also revised upwards, from an initial 1.1% to 1.3%.New orders for US made capital goods - excluding defence and aircraft - jumped 1.3% in September, better than the 0.5% rise expected by analysts. The August figure was also revised upwards, from an initial 1.1% to 1.3%.
The data comes ahead of Friday’s third quarter GDP estimate, which is expected to show an impressive annualised rate of 2.5%, albeit down from the second quarter’s 3.1%.The data comes ahead of Friday’s third quarter GDP estimate, which is expected to show an impressive annualised rate of 2.5%, albeit down from the second quarter’s 3.1%.
The positive figures will add to the expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise US interest rates again before the year end.The positive figures will add to the expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise US interest rates again before the year end.
2.14pm BST2.14pm BST
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UK GDP: A recapUK GDP: A recap
OK, time for a quick catch-up on this morning’s growth figures.OK, time for a quick catch-up on this morning’s growth figures.
Britain’s economy grew a little faster than expected in the third quarter of this year, but still below its long-term growth rate.Britain’s economy grew a little faster than expected in the third quarter of this year, but still below its long-term growth rate.
GDP rose by 0.4% in July-September, ahead of City expectations. It’s an increase on the 0.3% growth recorded in the first two quarter of 2017, but still a fairly moderate performance.GDP rose by 0.4% in July-September, ahead of City expectations. It’s an increase on the 0.3% growth recorded in the first two quarter of 2017, but still a fairly moderate performance.
The service sector, which makes up around three-quarters of the economy, grew by 0.4%.The service sector, which makes up around three-quarters of the economy, grew by 0.4%.
Manufacturing, encouragingly, grew by 1% during the quarter. But construction suffered its second quarterly contraction in a row.Manufacturing, encouragingly, grew by 1% during the quarter. But construction suffered its second quarterly contraction in a row.
GDP growth of 0.4% in the third quarter. Better than expected. But still below long-term trend. Here's how different sectors contributed: pic.twitter.com/GCXPWYRlwvGDP growth of 0.4% in the third quarter. Better than expected. But still below long-term trend. Here's how different sectors contributed: pic.twitter.com/GCXPWYRlwv
Darren Morgan, the Office for National Statistics Head of National Accounts, explains:Darren Morgan, the Office for National Statistics Head of National Accounts, explains:
“Growth in the third quarter of 2017 continued at a similar rate as seen in the first half of the year. Services, led by increases in IT, motor trades and retail, continued to drive GDP growth.“Growth in the third quarter of 2017 continued at a similar rate as seen in the first half of the year. Services, led by increases in IT, motor trades and retail, continued to drive GDP growth.
Manufacturing also boosted the economy with an improved performance after a weak second quarter.Manufacturing also boosted the economy with an improved performance after a weak second quarter.
Chancellor Philip Hammond said it was a “solid” performance, as Britain’s economy continued to outperform expectations. But his Labour opposite number, John McDonnell, criticised the government for not investing more.Chancellor Philip Hammond said it was a “solid” performance, as Britain’s economy continued to outperform expectations. But his Labour opposite number, John McDonnell, criticised the government for not investing more.
City economists have generally agreed that the UK economy looks somewhat lacklustre. Several blamed the Brexit vote, for cutting the value of the pound and deterring firms from investing in new machinery and buildings.City economists have generally agreed that the UK economy looks somewhat lacklustre. Several blamed the Brexit vote, for cutting the value of the pound and deterring firms from investing in new machinery and buildings.
Kallum Pickering of German bank Berenberg sums up the mood:Kallum Pickering of German bank Berenberg sums up the mood:
The current pace of UK GDP growth is ok, but it could be better. While the short-term risks to demand since the Brexit vote have not materialised in a serious way, the UK economy should be riding high on the back of the on-going global upswing.The current pace of UK GDP growth is ok, but it could be better. While the short-term risks to demand since the Brexit vote have not materialised in a serious way, the UK economy should be riding high on the back of the on-going global upswing.
Uncertainty from Brexit is weighing on firm and household confidence.Uncertainty from Brexit is weighing on firm and household confidence.
The forecast-beating growth figures appear to increase the chances of an interest rate rise next week. That sent the pound rallying almost 1% today.The forecast-beating growth figures appear to increase the chances of an interest rate rise next week. That sent the pound rallying almost 1% today.
This has pulled down Britain’s FTSE 100 share index, as a stronger pound undermines the value of overseas earnings.This has pulled down Britain’s FTSE 100 share index, as a stronger pound undermines the value of overseas earnings.
1.56pm BST1.56pm BST
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Pound jumps on rate hike forecastsPound jumps on rate hike forecasts
Sterling has now gained a whole cent against the US dollar today, to $1.325.Sterling has now gained a whole cent against the US dollar today, to $1.325.
City investors seem increasingly confident that the Bank of England will raise interest rates next week, on the back of today’s growth figures.City investors seem increasingly confident that the Bank of England will raise interest rates next week, on the back of today’s growth figures.
An interest rate rise would help savers, but could be bad news for over-stretched borrowers. With real wages shrinking this year, many households have been forced into debt to pay for basic items.An interest rate rise would help savers, but could be bad news for over-stretched borrowers. With real wages shrinking this year, many households have been forced into debt to pay for basic items.
Fran Boait, director of the Positive Money campaign group, argues that interest rate shouldn’t rise until wages have caught up with inflation.Fran Boait, director of the Positive Money campaign group, argues that interest rate shouldn’t rise until wages have caught up with inflation.
With many people already drowning in debt, even a small increase in mortgage rates and credit card bills could push them under. People urgently need a boost to their incomes before any rise in interest rates. Our message to the Bank of England and the government is that there should be “No rate rise without a pay rise”.With many people already drowning in debt, even a small increase in mortgage rates and credit card bills could push them under. People urgently need a boost to their incomes before any rise in interest rates. Our message to the Bank of England and the government is that there should be “No rate rise without a pay rise”.
1.17pm BST1.17pm BST
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Difficult times call for radical measures...and Labour MP Liam Byrne argues that Britain needs to rethink its economic model to get growth motoring again.Difficult times call for radical measures...and Labour MP Liam Byrne argues that Britain needs to rethink its economic model to get growth motoring again.
Writing in the Guardian, Byrne says:Writing in the Guardian, Byrne says:
London is an incredible 40% more productive than Wales. And in contrast to the shibboleths of traditional growth theory, our regions are failing to converge over very long periods of time. A bold new model would grant new fiscal freedoms to regions to borrow to invest in infrastructure and housing – as first proposed by the Keynes-inspired 1944 white paper on full employment. Devolution of the apprenticeship levy would rescue a failing policy and allow regions to coordinate technical education. And a radical boost to the Higher Education Innovation Fund would transform the power of regional universities to provide research and development to Britain’s underproductive small business base.London is an incredible 40% more productive than Wales. And in contrast to the shibboleths of traditional growth theory, our regions are failing to converge over very long periods of time. A bold new model would grant new fiscal freedoms to regions to borrow to invest in infrastructure and housing – as first proposed by the Keynes-inspired 1944 white paper on full employment. Devolution of the apprenticeship levy would rescue a failing policy and allow regions to coordinate technical education. And a radical boost to the Higher Education Innovation Fund would transform the power of regional universities to provide research and development to Britain’s underproductive small business base.
However elegant the strategy, said Winston Churchill, it’s good to occasionally look at the results. Today’s economic results are disappointing. It’s time to change the theory and practise of the strategy.However elegant the strategy, said Winston Churchill, it’s good to occasionally look at the results. Today’s economic results are disappointing. It’s time to change the theory and practise of the strategy.
6/. Our economic model needs to change. Here's how: https://t.co/UnZQIXeEZ76/. Our economic model needs to change. Here's how: https://t.co/UnZQIXeEZ7
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1.01pm BST1.01pm BST
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Duncan Weldon, head of research at the Resolution Group, says the big picture is that Britain’s economy has slowed over the last decade.Duncan Weldon, head of research at the Resolution Group, says the big picture is that Britain’s economy has slowed over the last decade.
That’s partly due to Britain’s weak productivity - a problem that no-one seems close to solving.That’s partly due to Britain’s weak productivity - a problem that no-one seems close to solving.
But Brexit doesn’t help, he writes:But Brexit doesn’t help, he writes:
Increased uncertainty over the UK’s future trading relationships, regulations and migration policy have led many firms to put investment on hold. The British economy has no doubt performed better than many analysts (including this one) expected since the referendum, but that performance still can’t be termed “strong”. It is important to remember that the UK’s better-than-expected performance – relative to the most pessimistic pre-Brexit vote views – has come at a time when the global economy as a whole has been putting in a stronger performance.Increased uncertainty over the UK’s future trading relationships, regulations and migration policy have led many firms to put investment on hold. The British economy has no doubt performed better than many analysts (including this one) expected since the referendum, but that performance still can’t be termed “strong”. It is important to remember that the UK’s better-than-expected performance – relative to the most pessimistic pre-Brexit vote views – has come at a time when the global economy as a whole has been putting in a stronger performance.
This month the International Monetary Fund estimated that the global economy would grow 3.6% in 2018 and that advanced economies would expand by 2.2%. Those numbers compare to estimates of 3.2% and 2.0% before June’s referendum. Meanwhile they now pencil in growth of just 1.7% for the UK next year as opposed to an estimate of 2.2% 18 months ago. In other words, while the prospects for the world economy and other developed countries have improved, our own outlook has darkened.This month the International Monetary Fund estimated that the global economy would grow 3.6% in 2018 and that advanced economies would expand by 2.2%. Those numbers compare to estimates of 3.2% and 2.0% before June’s referendum. Meanwhile they now pencil in growth of just 1.7% for the UK next year as opposed to an estimate of 2.2% 18 months ago. In other words, while the prospects for the world economy and other developed countries have improved, our own outlook has darkened.
More here:More here:
12.49pm BST
12:49
Our economics editor, Larry Elliott, reckons that the (small) pick-up in UK growth over the summer will persuade the Bank of England to raise interest rates next week.
12.22pm BST
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UK government bond prices have fallen since the GPD figures came out.
This has pushed the interest rate (or yield) on 10-year UK debt to 1.41% - on track for its highest level since January.
This is another sign that the City expects UK interest rates to rise soon (so investors are selling UK bonds and buying higher-yielding assets).
#YIELD CHART! UK 10-year bond yield rises to the highest level since early this year as #GDP growth beats estimates, rate hike more likely. pic.twitter.com/frkYwvnbPK
12.01pm BST
12:01
Chancellor Philip Hammond has told reporters in London that Britain’s economy continued to outperform expectations.
Reuters has the details:
“It’s a solid performance by the UK economy in the third quarter and it’s outperformed market expectations as the UK economy has done overall since the referendum last year. What it shows is the underlying fundamental strength of this economy,” Hammond said in televised comments to British broadcasters.
Hammond has also been admiring Britain’s life sciences industry, at the Francis Crick Institute:
I’m at @TheCrick this morning to announce an extra £17 million for our life sciences industry: https://t.co/X4rO7FruEq pic.twitter.com/K1F0HlGDqr
11.33am BST
11:33
Leslie: Slow growth shows importance of Brexit deal
Labour MP Chris Leslie, who supports the Open Britain campaign, says inflation and Brexit uncertainty are holding growth back:
“These figures show the damaging impact Brexit is already having on the economy, with workers and consumers feeling the squeeze in lower wages and higher prices.
Leslie adds that the UK needs to negotiate membership of the Single Market and Customs Union, rather than risk crashing out of Europe without a deal....
Incidentally, the latest word from parliament is that MPs might not get a vote on Brexit until after the UK has left the European Union! A funny way of taking back control....
David Davis says parliament may not get vote on final deal until after Brexit happens - https://t.co/b5FW0CmqFj
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11.19am BST
11:19
The pound continues to push higher, now up 0.8 of a cent at $1.322, as the City continues to price in a rate hike next month.
Big move for the pound off the back of the GDP growth. 1.3230 still the obstacle: pic.twitter.com/Bu3iMfvRh2
But...Dr Gordon Fletcher of University of Salford Business School fears that a UK interest rate rise could undermine the recovery.
He writes:
Growth is now weaker compared to the other major European economies and could itself be seen as tangible result of a ‘Brexit effect’. The past decade has also been a time of historical low interest rates and now concern will turn towards the prospect of an imminent rise in this rate.
A rate rise could then be a disincentive in a relatively weak economy to further business growth and expansion. It is a fine balance.
11.14am BST
11:14
Robert Gordon, CEO of Hitachi Capital UK, is pleased to see that manufacturing output rose by 1% during the quarter.
As the backbone of our economy, the onus is now on the government to ensure that investment continues despite Brexit uncertainty.”
11.07am BST
11:07
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG, says the UK economy has ‘lost its sparkle’, and put in another ‘lacklustre performance’ in the last quarter:
She fears that growth will remain subdued while Brexit plays out...
There has been a deterioration in economic performance since the start of the year, as inflation has begun to bite and consumers have started to reconsider their priorities.
This trend is likely to remain for a while, with Brexit related uncertainties looming large for consumers and businesses. Our expectations are therefore for annual GDP growth to fall short of the UK’s potential and reach only around 1.5% in the short term.
11.05am BST
11:05
Full story: GDP figures could lead to interest rate hike
Britain’s first interest rate rise since 2007 could be just round the corner, writes our economics correspondent Richard Partington:
British consumers are being put on notice for a rate hike from next week, as official figures show the economy expanding faster than anticipated in the three months to September.
GDP grew by 0.4% in the third quarter of 2017 following expansion of 0.3% in the three months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics. City economists had forecast growth of 0.3%.
The official figures come as the Bank of England prepares to hike interest rates for the first time in a decade, with the monetary policy committee likely to take them into account ahead of its decision on 2 November. Threadneedle Street has faced a slew of warnings against raising the cost of borrowing, amid growing concerns over the strength of the economy – which could be allayed by the latest data.
Ruth Gregory, UK economist at the consultancy Capital Economics, said the latest figures “have probably sealed the deal on an interest rate hike next week.”
Here’s the full story:
10.56am BST
10:56
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10.48am BST
10:48
Mihir Kapadia, CEO of Sun Global Investments, says Britain’s growth rate looks ‘subpar’, despite avoiding the recession that some experts predicted after the EU referendum.
He adds:
The third quarter has been particularly difficult for the UK economy, with inflation ringing 3% while wage growth has been subdued.
Consumers are facing an increased squeeze in living standards while the city has been brought to its knees by the increased uncertainty over Brexit proceedings.”