When well over 100 plcs report results in a single week they present a good picture of the state of British business. And the canvas painted is one of cash-rich companies eager to hand out dividends.
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When Britain’s biggest investor speaks it is worth listening. But the message from Legal & General Group Plc (LON:LGEN) is gloomy: the chancellor has got it wrong, it is too early to apply the brakes, and we’re heading back towards recession.

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God save the Queen, but where will the savings come from?
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Well, what did small business expect from Lord Sugar? The TV star told small companies that they are moaners. And they proved him right by moaning.
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It’s not only when new economic figures are better than the old that we know we’re past the worst, it’s when the old figures are revised so that they’re not as bad as they were.
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It takes two quarters of negative growth to start a recession but only three months’ positive growth to end one. The UK slump is probably already over, making it deep but quick.
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No taxation without representation” was the cry of colonial entrepreneurs in 18th century America before the revolution. But in 21st century Britain, business still sees its coffers raided without being given chance to vote.
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Here is the good news. There is some good news. It is a rash politician who mentions green shoots until they have become sturdy plants, but there are signs of economic improvement.
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The pensions industry has joined the financial regulator in using hindsight to say we should have stored away more during the boom years. The snag is, that’s the time when there seems least need to do it.
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Once companies did anything to avoid cutting dividends. In 2009 it is the most fashionable thing to do but directors should be careful they do not become fashion victims.
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