In testimony to the Treasury Select Committee, new Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Hogg stayed close to the bank’s recent script and there was no market impact.
There was choppy trading surrounding the Afternoon fix, but the UK currency was unable to gain sustained support, especially with real yields continuing to move against Sterling. The Euro edged towards 0.8550 on the day and the UK currency was unable to hold above 1.2450 against the dollar.
Scottish First Minister Sturgeon stated that a new independence referendum may be the only way for Scotland, maintaining a significant element of market unease surrounding the political outlook and the government could face defeat on in the House of Lords on an amendment to the Brexit Bill. Dollar developments dominated as Sterling retreated to below 1.24.
The latest PMI data will be watched closely on Wednesday while shop prices fell 1.0% in the year to February.01/03
GBP While the Bank of England’s decision to pause on raising rates by the narrowest of margins with voting 5-4, that resulted in GBP being sold sharply which reflects the market’s view that while inflation at 6.7% looked better than expected yesterday, the effect of higher oil prices and petrol and diesel at the pumps […]
Bank of England It is the big week in UK markets not because there is much doubt in the minds of economists that rates will go up once again on Thursday, but rather more because the “clever” money is predicting that this increase will be the last. What could go wrong? Assuming rates go up […]
UK Interest Rates Despite soothing words from BoE Governor Bailey last week on interest rates reaching the end of the rise cycle, wage inflation of 7.8% in the 3 months to the end of July plus unemployment a tiny bit higher at 4.3% both suggest that the end may have been called too early. So […]