Budget time is upon us.  A good time then to have a little sniff at the air to see which way the economic wind is blowing.

And, of course, try and figure out what it means for the investor.

Well, first of all, when we look at the UK we need to bear in mind that, yes, its growth is often consumer driven, but at the end of the day, it's a trading nation.

If it doesn't export, its economy won't grow.

One thing that's needed before exports can grow is for the markets it exports to, to be in good health.  Confidence needs to be high, currencies strong - preferably the currency being changed into sterling to buy that Brit car (if there is still such a thing), or fridge or that holiday in the UK.