"The near-term outlook is bleak," said another senior investment banker in London.

I think the economy looks very weak, but given the near-term outlook, and with prices at these levels, you might as well sell.

"But the dollar continues to cloud the near-term outlook for bonds."

This sector was the most optimistic about the near-term outlook, expecting much stronger sales in April.

"There isn't much of an upturn in the near-term outlook," he said.

Yet the near-term outlook - next year's budget - is quite positive.

Yet there seem to be few clouds over the near-term outlook for BP's profit.

"First, no one has a clue about the near-term outlook," he said.

In this report, investors and traders hope to find clues to the near-term outlook for the economy.

"While the near-term outlook is good, several risks are emerging" for the next year he said.