Economic Outlook and Market Commentary
Well, the first quarter of 2025 has shown that a great deal can happen in just 90 days.
Summarising the start of the year across the investment and economic landscape has been a daunting task. A sense of uncertainty has been echoed across the markets, with the first quarter bringing volatility and revised forecasts for the year ahead.
Spring forecast: Clear or cloudy skies for UK economy ahead?
With the sun (sporadically) breaking through the gloom of the early months, the first signs of spring are just beginning to emerge in the UK. Whilst this brings a sense of hope, some trepidation remains that the UK economy could still face rainy days ahead. The Spring Statement, often seen as the little brother to the annual Budget, was delivered against the backdrop of disappointing growth forecasts and the news that the UK economy had unexpectedly shrunk by 0.1% in January1, driven by a decline in the manufacturing sector.
