Commenting Rupert Watson, head of asset allocation at Skandia Investment Group, said: “There have been a number of recent developments that point in the direction of positive growth at the start of 2012.
“First, surveys of business confidence have risen and are consistent with modest positive growth.
“Second, inflation is likely to fall further with the recent cuts in some energy bills likely to help.
“Finally there have been signs of an improvement in the eurozone, US and China which should help exports and overall confidence.
“Although we expect a return to growth this year, the recovery is unlikely to be robust for some time.
“However, after a very weak first half of the year, we expect a stronger second half and 2013.
“Many investors are downbeat on the outlook for the UK economy. We think that the economy could outperform those expectations, especially if there are further signs of stabilisation in the eurozone.
“In the GDP report, the UK was reported to have contracted by 0.2% in 2011 Q4, weaker than expected. Construction and industrial production were especially weak, although service sector outlook was also flat.
“Construction and industrial production tend to be very volatile and some payback from the weakness at the end of last year is possible.”
