Data released today shows:
as shown on the graphs below.
So, basically, we have a situation of fewer people being less productive at higher company costs in the U.S. and a continuing drop in Britain's business conditions. These figures do not bode well for a healthy business environment for either country that would support sustainable growth, without increasingly higher inflation in the short, medium, and long term, in my opinion.
I've mentioned purveyor-of-skanky-wear retailer Abercrombie & Fitch many times in the past, and my post of October 11 highlighted it when it was above $70. It continues to tumble (much like it did during those charmed years of 2007-2008). It's down a double-digit percentage today.