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Business investment in the United Kingdom was flat at GBP 49.2 billion in the three months to September 2019, after a 0.4 percent fall in the previous period and compared with market expectations of a 0.5 percent decline, a preliminary estimate showed. Year-on-year, business investment went down 0.6 percent, following a 1.4 percent decline in the second quarter of the year and compared with market forecasts of a 1.3 percent decrease. The Bank of England, in its latest Agents’ Summary of business conditions reported that investment intentions remained at a nine-year low; and members of the Bank of England Decision Maker Panel stated that their recent investment growth has been subdued.

Business investment in the United Kingdom shrank 0.4 percent on quarter in the April to June of 2019 period, compared with a preliminary estimate and market expectations of a 0.5 percent fall. This follows a 0.4 percent gain in the first quarter which was the only positive number since the last quarter of 2017. Positive contributions from transport equipment, and other buildings and structures were not enough to offset a fall in information and communication technology (ICT) equipment; other machinery and equipment; and intellectual property products. Year-on-year, business investment dropped 1.4 percent, the fifth straight decline, after a 1.6 percent fall in the first quarter of the year and compared to a preliminary estimate and market consensus of a 1.6 percent decrease.

Business investment in the United Kingdom shrank 0.5 percent on quarter in the April to June of 2019 period, against market expectations of a 0.3 percent decline and following a 0.4 percent rise in the prior period, which followed four consecutive quarters of decline throughout 2018, preliminary estimates showed. The fall in the latest quarter was driven by declines in investment in buildings and to a lesser extent information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and other machinery and equipment. Year-on-year, business investment dropped 1.6 percent, following a 1.5 percent fall in the previous quarter. In addition, the Bank of England’s Agents’ Summary for the second quarter of 2019 recorded the lowest score for investment intentions since January 2010.

Business investment in the United Kingdom increased 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2019, rebounding from a 0.9 percent fall in the previous period but below market expectations and a preliminary reading of a 0.5 percent gain, final figures showed. It is the first increase in business investment after four quarters of contraction, as buildings and structures; intellectual property products contributed positively while transport equipment partially offset the increase. Year-on-year, business investment went down 1.5 percent, after a 2.5 percent decrease in the last quarter of 2018 and compared to market forecasts and a preliminary 1.4 percent fall. The Bank of England, in its most recent Agents’ summary of business conditions, stated that “Brexit uncertainty as the main reason for holding back investment, with some choosing instead to build cash reserves or inventories. However, companies continued to invest in replacing essential kit, or in projects with a short pay-back period”.

Business investment in the United Kingdom rose 0.5 percent in the first quarter of 2019, rebounding from a 0.9 percent fall in the previous period and beating market expectations of a 0.6 percent decline, a preliminary estimate showed. It is the first increase in business investment after four quarters of contraction, mainly due to information and communication technology, equipment and other machinery and equipment. Year-on-year, business investment went down 1.4 percent, after a 2.5 percent fall in the last quarter of 2018 and compared to market forecasts of a 2.7 percent decrease. The Bank of England, in its latest Agents’ summary of business conditions, reported that investment intentions fell sharply in manufacturing, with a modest decline in services. Political uncertainty continues to be cited as having a negative impact on investment.

Business investment in the United Kingdom contracted 0.9 percent in the last three months of 2018, down from a preliminary and market expectations of a 1.4 percent fall and following a 0.6 percent decline in the prior period, final estimates showed. It is the fourth consecutive quarter-on-quarter fall in business investment and the first time it drops for more than two straight quarters since the economic downturn of 2008, mostly due to information and communication technology, equipment and other machinery and equipment and intellectual property products. Year-on-year, business investment decreased a downwardly revised 2.5 percent, after a 1.3 percent fall in the Q3. Between 2017 and 2018, business investment declined by 0.4 percent. The Bank of England, in its latest Agents’ summary of business conditions, stated that “investment intentions eased further, with a growing proportion of contacts putting new capital investment on hold until there is greater clarity around Brexit”.