To judge by Thursday's statement, the forecast for inflation has edged up since then, but not enough to tip the balance against more QE.

BBC: Quantitatively more easing from the Bank

Sony's statement confirmed a previous forecast that the company should return to profit for the financial year to end-March.

BBC: Sony cuts quarterly losses amid recovery hopes

"Lending problems in our nation's subprime marketplace are building, which could inhibit future housing activity and further dampen our forecast, " Lereah said in a recent statement.

CNN: Spring into home-selling action

In its statement yesterday, the Fed said that its forecast for inflation would also need to be below 2.5% for them to think about raising rates.

BBC: Fed gives itself a new target

Today he is likely to announce that the official growth forecast for 2013 has fallen again, from the 1.2% pencilled into the Autumn Statement.

BBC: Business