What's going on?

Data out on Tuesday showed the UK economy flatlined in October, with annual growth at its slowest pace in nearly seven years. C�mon, don�t you quit on us!

What does this mean?

The UK�s services and manufacturing sectors grew in October, but the boost was offset by a big drop in construction activity. Building firms are blaming that�ominous symptom on customers who have delayed projects amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty � if not canceled them altogether.

But Brexit-related trauma isn�t the only diagnosis. British voters are set to head to the polls on Thursday, adding to political ups and downs that�ve weighed heavy on the economy this year. Cap that off with a weakening, trade war-hit global economy, and it�s perhaps little wonder the UK is on course for just over 1% growth this year � its worst performance since the financial crisis a decade ago.

Why should I care?

For markets: 50ccs of Brexit, stat!
If the polls are to be believed, Britain�s election could give a majority to the country�s pro-Brexit Conservative party � and give them the foothold they need to leave the European Union early next year. And that means policymakers, if all goes to plan, will be able to focus on boosting growth again. That could work out nicely for UK stocks, especially since they�re trading at the biggest discount to their global counterparts in nearly a decade.

The bigger picture: Germany�s stabilizing.
Britain�s not the only major economy dealing with weak growth. Germany � the world�s fourth-largest economy, just ahead of the UK � narrowly avoided a recession this year. But a survey out on Tuesday showed economic sentiment improved far more than forecast after an unexpected boost in October exports. That�s raising hopes for a rebound in Europe�s biggest economy, and could encourage investors � who�ve been pulling money out of the European stock market all year � to jump back in.