Many UK businesses are suspending decision-making until after the General Election

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the Euro Area increased 0.3 percent to 103.6 (2010=100) in January, following a 0.3 percent increase in December, and a 0.2 percent increase in November.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Germany increased 0.7 percent in December to 107.2 (2010 = 100), following a 0.7 percent increase in November, and a 0.1 percent decline in October.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for France was unchanged in December, remaining at 110.0 (2010 = 100), following a 0.1 percent decline in November, and a 0.1 percent increase in October.

According to research by International Data Corporation (IDC), the Western European printer and multifunction (MFP) market showed a slight decrease in unit terms of 0.8% when compared to the same period a year ago as consumer inkjet shipments contracted. This gave a Q414 market figure of 6.84 million units and represents actual a unit decline of 52, 000 units. On a more positive note, revenues increased as more high speed laser MFP laser and business inkjets shipped.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.K. increased 0.1 percent in December to 112.1 (2010= 100), following a 0.3 percent decline in November, and a 0.4 percent decline in October.

German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers recorded a slight increase of one per cent in sales last year. As a result, turnover in core machinery manufacturing remains unchanged at the previous record figure of 6.8 billion euros.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Spain increased 0.1 percent in December to 101.5 (2010 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.