There are only a few key investors in each sector that count.

FORBES: P2P Or Bust

The public-sector head count has grown by over a tenth in the past decade, and as many as 400, 000 jobs may have to go.

ECONOMIST: Britain's budget

But when Mr Osborne drew up his plans to cut public borrowing, he did think he could count on the private sector - especially private sector demand from the rest of the world - to fill most of the gap.

BBC: Eurozone and the UK: A tale of two crises

And those nations count future pension obligations to public-sector workers.

FORBES: In Troubled Times, President Obama Continues to Lead From Behind

In the oil service sector, North American pricing remains depressed into a declining rig count.

FORBES: Catch The Bus For 1650 Market Street

One suggestion is not to count as government spending some investment by public-sector companies (an exemption that already applies to Petrobras, the oil monopoly).

ECONOMIST: Brazil, Argentina and the IMF

As private businesses grow, they come into contact with state-sector suppliers, distributors and customers, and often find that their theoretical property rights count for little when it comes to collecting debts or having contracts honoured.

ECONOMIST: Private businesses are China's great hope for the future

The problem for the chip sector is that the last three months of the year are normally among the strongest, as manufacturers count on a consumer spending spree over the holidays.

BBC: Semiconductor sales growth slows