Showing posts with label indicators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indicators. Show all posts
Monday, 14 February 2011
Depression Expected To Continue For Some Time
The latest National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) estimate of GDP suggests that output fell by 0.1% in the three months to January 2011 following the 0.5% decline in the three months to December 2010. Month on month estimates suggest growth of 0.6% due to recovery from the severe weather conditions at the end of the year. The depression, to use the term the NIESR prefers to recession, is expected to continue for some time. The sector contributing most to the decline was construction with a fall of 12.2% following from a fall of 12.6% in the quarter ending last month over the previous quarter. Industry increased by 3.7%, agriculture by 1.3% and services by 0.3%. Agricultural output remained the same at 89.7 as did contruction at 95.7. Services increased output from 100.8 to 102.1.
Friday, 10 September 2010
River Water Quality Continues To Improve
The annual river water quality results for 2009 were published recently by Defra. River water quality is one of the 68 sustainable development indicators and measures biological and chemical river water quality annually. The indicator represents the proportion of river water considered to be of good quality measured in terms of river length.
The main findings suggest that 73% of English rivers surveyed were of good biological quality in 2009 from 72% in 2008. They also suggest that 80% were of good chemical quality from 79% in 2008. It is the fifth consecutive year of improvement in chemical river water quality.
The main findings suggest that 73% of English rivers surveyed were of good biological quality in 2009 from 72% in 2008. They also suggest that 80% were of good chemical quality from 79% in 2008. It is the fifth consecutive year of improvement in chemical river water quality.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
An Increase of 3.4% In The CPI
The CPI for March 2010 went up by 3.4% from 3% in February and the RPI by 4.4% from 3.7%. The CPI indicator in March was 113.5 from 112.9. The RPIX went up from 4.2% in February to 4.8% in March.
Housing and household services made the most difference to the annual CPI with an increase this year after a fall last year. The main difference was made by domestic gas because average bills were unchanged this year between February and March but fell last year. Transport also made a large contribution from fuels and lubricants, increasing by 2.7% between February and March, and air fares on European and long-haul flights. Falling prices for second-hand cars partially offset these upward effects. Other large upward contributions came from food and clothing. The only large downward contribution came from furniture and furnishings.
Housing and household services made the most difference to the annual CPI with an increase this year after a fall last year. The main difference was made by domestic gas because average bills were unchanged this year between February and March but fell last year. Transport also made a large contribution from fuels and lubricants, increasing by 2.7% between February and March, and air fares on European and long-haul flights. Falling prices for second-hand cars partially offset these upward effects. Other large upward contributions came from food and clothing. The only large downward contribution came from furniture and furnishings.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Wild Birds In Britain's Countryside
A recent statistical release from Defra provides the latest figures on the bird populations on farmland and woodland and all-native wild birds in the English Government Office Regions between 1994-2008.
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
OECD Survey Indicates Recovery
The OECD report that all major economies are pointing to recovery with France and Italy even pointing to potential expansion. The signs of potential expansion should be treated with care.
The OECD area leading indicator increased by 1.5% in August 2009 and was 0.6% higher than August 2008. The three main economies, the US, the 'eurozone', and Japan all reported increases in their indicators for August. The US increased by 1.6%, the euro area by 1.7% and Japan by 1.3%. Compared to last year however the US was 1.6% down, Japan was 3.9% down, but the euro area was 4.1% up. The UK increased by 1.6% in August and by 1.7% on last year. France increased by 1.3% in August and 6.6% on last year and Italy by 2% in August and 10.4% higher than last year. Germany increased by 2.4% in August and by 2.1% on last year.
The major emerging economies also increased in August. China increased by 1.5% and India by 0.9%. India was also 0.1% higher than last year whereas China was 0.7% lower. Russia increased by 1.1%, 10.2% down on last year. Brazil increased by 0.4% but was 8.5% lower than last year.
The OECD indicators are constructed from data that have similar fluctuations to the business cycle but precede it. Whereas the business cycle uses GDP data, the OECD use indices of industrial production.
The OECD area leading indicator increased by 1.5% in August 2009 and was 0.6% higher than August 2008. The three main economies, the US, the 'eurozone', and Japan all reported increases in their indicators for August. The US increased by 1.6%, the euro area by 1.7% and Japan by 1.3%. Compared to last year however the US was 1.6% down, Japan was 3.9% down, but the euro area was 4.1% up. The UK increased by 1.6% in August and by 1.7% on last year. France increased by 1.3% in August and 6.6% on last year and Italy by 2% in August and 10.4% higher than last year. Germany increased by 2.4% in August and by 2.1% on last year.
The major emerging economies also increased in August. China increased by 1.5% and India by 0.9%. India was also 0.1% higher than last year whereas China was 0.7% lower. Russia increased by 1.1%, 10.2% down on last year. Brazil increased by 0.4% but was 8.5% lower than last year.
The OECD indicators are constructed from data that have similar fluctuations to the business cycle but precede it. Whereas the business cycle uses GDP data, the OECD use indices of industrial production.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Producer Prices Up And Down
The producer prices output index went up 2.0% on the year to March compared with 3.0% in February. Month on month the rise was 0.1%. Input prices fell by 0.4% annually but have risen 1% since February. Petroleum products have afllen 17.7% since last year while other product groups in the index have risen. Chemical products and transport the biggest risers. Electrical and optical fell during the month to March by 0.6%. The biggest falls in input prices were the crude oil product group by 36.6% over the year to March while fuels were the biggest risers. Fuels prices fell by 5.7% during March while crude oils gained the most by 7.1%.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Business And Economic Indicators
Business and economic indicators are very useful in monitoring and steering a business or an economy. Indices can be developed to monitor almost anything. Some recent figures from various sources may show how they can help give a sense of direction.
UK retail sales fell 1.2% on a like-for-like basis and 0.6% total compared with March last year. Food sales were slightly up. Non-food non-store sales, a part of total sales and an index that includes Internet sales, were 10.8% up on last year. The timing of Easter made comparisons with March last year difficult because Easter was included in last years March calculations (Interpreted from BRC figures) but will be in April's this year.
The CBI's March survey reported that the majority of retailers said year-on-year sales for March were down but that expectations had been higher. They do not expect any improvement next month.
Manufacturing output decreased by 6.5% in February. The Index is at 90.4, 12.2% down on the same p[eriod last year. Between January and February output decreased by 0.9% from revised figures. Falls were mainly in the car industry, metals and machinery industries (Interpreted from ONS figures).
Producer output prices rose by 2% in the year to March 2009. The Index rose 0.1% from February to March 2009. Excluding food and beverages the rise was 3.3% over the year and 0.2% February to March. Input prices fell 0.4% over the year but rose by 1% from February to March 2009. Input prices excluding food and beverages rose by 7.4% in the year to March and 0.2% February to March (Interpreted from ONS figures).
Consumer confidence is increasing gradually. It is the highest since May 2008 and has risen 5 points to -30 according to NOP. It is still well down on March 2008 by 11 points but the recession hadn't taken hold then. Confidence in the general economic situation is up 7 points to -75 but it is still 32 points down on this time last year. Expectations for the next 12 months have increased by 9 points. Consumers are also more confident about saving than last month but again well down on this time last year (Interpreted from the Consumer Confidence Barometer, NOP/GfK).
The Net Rate of Return of UK companies in private non-financial category for Q4, 2008 was 12.8%. The revised estimate for Q3 was 13.7% or down 0.9%. NRR for manufacturing was 8.5% and services 15.8%. The annual net rate of return for 2008 was 13.8%. It compares with 14.8% of 2007. The Net Rate of Return is an indicator of the profitability of a company (An interpretation of ONS figures).
These indicators can tell us about a business or an economy. They may be accurate, they may not but even if not, that might tell us something about the researchers and/or their methodology.
UK retail sales fell 1.2% on a like-for-like basis and 0.6% total compared with March last year. Food sales were slightly up. Non-food non-store sales, a part of total sales and an index that includes Internet sales, were 10.8% up on last year. The timing of Easter made comparisons with March last year difficult because Easter was included in last years March calculations (Interpreted from BRC figures) but will be in April's this year.
The CBI's March survey reported that the majority of retailers said year-on-year sales for March were down but that expectations had been higher. They do not expect any improvement next month.
Manufacturing output decreased by 6.5% in February. The Index is at 90.4, 12.2% down on the same p[eriod last year. Between January and February output decreased by 0.9% from revised figures. Falls were mainly in the car industry, metals and machinery industries (Interpreted from ONS figures).
Producer output prices rose by 2% in the year to March 2009. The Index rose 0.1% from February to March 2009. Excluding food and beverages the rise was 3.3% over the year and 0.2% February to March. Input prices fell 0.4% over the year but rose by 1% from February to March 2009. Input prices excluding food and beverages rose by 7.4% in the year to March and 0.2% February to March (Interpreted from ONS figures).
Consumer confidence is increasing gradually. It is the highest since May 2008 and has risen 5 points to -30 according to NOP. It is still well down on March 2008 by 11 points but the recession hadn't taken hold then. Confidence in the general economic situation is up 7 points to -75 but it is still 32 points down on this time last year. Expectations for the next 12 months have increased by 9 points. Consumers are also more confident about saving than last month but again well down on this time last year (Interpreted from the Consumer Confidence Barometer, NOP/GfK).
The Net Rate of Return of UK companies in private non-financial category for Q4, 2008 was 12.8%. The revised estimate for Q3 was 13.7% or down 0.9%. NRR for manufacturing was 8.5% and services 15.8%. The annual net rate of return for 2008 was 13.8%. It compares with 14.8% of 2007. The Net Rate of Return is an indicator of the profitability of a company (An interpretation of ONS figures).
These indicators can tell us about a business or an economy. They may be accurate, they may not but even if not, that might tell us something about the researchers and/or their methodology.
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