However, more information from both surveys and hard data is required before firm conclusions can be drawn. This most recent episode is the latest instance in which high and volatile oil prices have raised risks.
Over time, we have further expanded our toolbox, with higher-frequency surveys of firms and households, banks and real-estate agents. We have always prized our ability to collect pieces of data through surveys that are not provided by general statistics, but are meaningful for economic analysis in our fields of action.