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Indian economy seen 'shrinking 12 per cent in April-June'

THE INDIAN economy is likely to register a 12 per cent contraction in the June quarter of fiscal year 2021-22, against a 23.9 per cent decrease in the same quarter previous year, according to a brokerage report.

The imposition of lockdowns by states during April-May to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic may trigger this fall, Swiss brokerage UBS Securities India said.


India's economy witnessed its worst contraction in fiscal year 2021 at 7.3 per cent following an unprecedented lockdown of more than two months that crippled the economy.

With a 12 percentage point reduction, India is likely to miss a sharp V-shaped recovery, unlike last year when the national lockdown was lifted, the brokerage said.

Consumer sentiment is weak as people are more worried about the pandemic this year than last year, it said.

The brokerage expects a sequential recovery in economic activity from June; however, it may gain strength only from the second half, when the vaccination drive may pick up pace.

The vaccination drive has improved in India to 3.2 million doses daily in the week to June 13 from 2.5 million in May.

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UK house price growth slows to 0.3 per cent in October.

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UK house price growth slows as buyers delay decisions ahead of budget

Highlights

  • Average UK house price rose 0.3 per cent in October to £272,226, down from 0.5 per cent growth in September.
  • Annual house price growth edged up to 2.4 per cent, with market remaining resilient despite mortgage rates being double pre-pandemic levels.
  • Buyers delaying purchases amid speculation that November budget could introduce new property taxes on homes worth over £500,000.
British house prices grew at a slower pace in October as buyers adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of the government's budget announcement on 26 November, according to data from mortgage lender Nationwide.

The average house price increased by 0.3 per cent month-on-month in October to £272,226, down from a 0.5 per cent rise in September. Despite the monthly slowdown, annual house price growth accelerated slightly to 2.4 per cent, up from 2.2 per cent in the previous month.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist, said the market had demonstrated broad stability in recent months. "Against a backdrop of subdued consumer confidence and signs of weakening in the labour market, this performance indicates resilience, especially since mortgage rates are more than double the level they were before Covid struck and house prices are close to all-time highs".

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