Monthly research for the Global Sales Managers Index covers China, the USA and India. Together over the past decade, these three countries accounted for almost 60% of global economic growth. None are proving immune to the serious problems now weighing heavily on global economic activity.

The latest growth related elements of the Global Sales Managers Index show that the world economy is at best going nowhere, and at worst heading back into recession, as price inflation spirals upwards, war in Europe drags on, damaging global energy and food supplies; and geopolitical uncertainty ranging from China's intentions towards Taiwan to increasing fears of climate change, continues to increase.

As a consequence, the growth related Sales Managers Indexes are at near two year lows. The overall Sales Managers Index remains in recession territory, in August registering well below the crucial 50 "no change" level.

Staffing and Profit levels remain a long way below those seen a year ago. Business confidence (that business activity will improve over the next few months) remains fractionally over the 50 level, but also near a 24 month low, and still falling month on month.
Continue reading for more analysis, charts & data. [SUBSCRIBER ONLY]