The Bank of England left interest rates on hold at 5.0 percent for a fifth month running on Thursday. Given the speed and scale of the economic slowdown, however, most are convinced a rate cut is just a matter of time. Britain’s economy failed to grow in the second quarter of this year for the first time since the early 1990s and many analysts believe the country has already tipped into recession. With unemployment rising and real incomes falling, consumer confidence is at rock bottom and retailers are feeling the pinch.
Posts Tagged ‘Rate hunch’
Bank of England holds rates steady at 5%
Thursday, September 4th, 2008Bank keep rates on hold at 5.25%
Thursday, March 6th, 2008The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep interest rates on hold today at 5.25%. A decision which is in line with market expectation and predictions. It made no statement to accompany its decision but policymakers had been suggesting the bank had to balance the demands of slowing growth and rising inflation. Soaring oil prices and the rising cost of food is putting a huge pressure on inflation around the world. The policymakers are concerned that inflation could rise to around 3% in the coming months which will require the central bank Governor, Mervyn King to write an explanatory letter to the government. However, economists are predicting further interest rate cuts in the coming months.
Base rate held at 5.5%
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
On Thursday, the bank kept rates on hold at 5.5% despite pressure to cut rates after increasing signs of a consumer spending slowdown. But most economists believe that this decision makes the need for a cut next month, all the more pressing. But the MPC is charged with keeping a lid on inflation which is currently running at 2.1% instead of it’s 2% target.
Rate cut or rate hunch?
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008The Bank of England will come under intense pressure to cut interest rates this week as figures out show that the high street suffered its worst Christmas for three years. Retailers endured another difficult day on the Stock Exchange amid mounting fears of possibly one of the toughest trading spells in recent memory. The gloom surrounding the economy may deepen if, as expected, Halifax reports that house prices fell again in December for the 4th consecutive month - making a case for a speedy rate cut. However, many economists believe that fears over inflation, fuelled by record petrol prices and rising gas bills, may force the Bank of England to wait until February or March before taking the next move down. The decision on interest rates will most definitely be a close call.
