And while all this forecasting assumes the eurozone doesn't implode, and that the US avoids falling off a fiscal cliff, the fear of more shocks to the system are expected to continue weighing on consumer confidence at least until 2014.

BBC: Making up lost ground

The fiscal cliff refers to spending cuts and tax rises, designed to reduce the US government's debt levels, that are due to kick in in the new year.

BBC: Global recovery under threat, says OECD

The fudging of the fiscal cliff issue means there will be a few more crises to come in the US, but Friday's employment numbers suggest that the economy is heaving itself back on its feet.

BBC: Equity markets stay strong despite economic uncertainty