Better all the time

摘要

December recorded a string of positive news stories for the economy and this has continued into 2014. The closely watched Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) indicators dipped slightly in November and December but were still significantly above the level of 50 which indicates expansionary activity. One of the most important indicators of the UK economy's improving performance was the convergence of the Consumer Price Index to its target level of 2% in December, the first time it had reached that level since November 2009. Unemployment also fell further in the period September to November with the figure now sitting at 7.1%, down from a peak in recent years of 8.4%.