The world economy is showing scattered signs of improvement but remains fragile according to official forecasts. This column summarises the latest update of the Brookings Institution-FT Tracking Indices for the Global Economic Recovery. It confirms some positive signs but also much to worry about as the world economy continues to meander with no clear sense of direction.

Is the worst of the crisis behind us, or is this just the eye of the storm? This column provides a snapshot from a new index provided jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Financial Times known as TIGER – Tracking Indices for the Global Economic Recovery. It argues that while some dark clouds remain, the economic picture looks far better now than it did a year ago.