Finance Matters

Official figures have revealed further evidence of a strong recovery within India’s economy after industrial output surged by 16.8% in December compared with a year earlier – beating analysts expectations.
According to analysts, the Government is likely to withdraw its stimulus measures as a result of the strong performance. The country’s central bank has injected in [...]

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed UK manufacturing output grew more than expected in December, boosting hopes of an upward revision to the initial estimate of fourth quarter GDP figures.
According to the ONS, manufacturing output increased by 0.9% in December after strong gains in the transport, paper and publishing and electrical and optical equipment [...]

The UK’s goods trade deficit widened to £7.3 billion in December, from £6.8 billion a month earlier.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) goods exports increased by 4.5%, to £20.9 billion, in the final month of 2009 but the improvement was overcome by a 5.2% rise in imports, to £28.2 billion.
Given the weaker pound, [...]