The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) minutes are being interpreted by some as providing a more upbeat economic commentary. The fact that the MPC opted for £50bn of money printing, not £75bn, suggests things aren't as bad as they could be. Recent survey data and official statistics on trade and both the service and manufacturing sectors have been more positive. On Wednesday house builders Barratt Developments and Galliford Try reported strong results and provided evidence that consumers were recovering some of their poise. The American economic recovery appears to have taken a firm hold, China will experience bubbles ... (full story)