Inflation on a ‘firm downward path’ and Bank of England risks a ‘hard landing’, MPC member says February 21, 2024 Policymakers at the Bank are increasingly facing the criticism that they risk being too slow to cut interest rates now that inflation is on its way back down to the two per cent target.
Hunt’s record January surplus isn’t the good news the Chancellor was looking for February 21, 2024 The £9.2bn undershoot on borrowing in the year-to-date is good news, but it won't have a big impact on how much headroom the Chancellor will have in the Spring Budget.
Spring Budget 2024: Government banks largest monthly surplus on record before March statement February 21, 2024 January's figures are the last round of monthly borrowing figures before the Spring Budget, which is scheduled to be held on 6 March.
‘Tax sandwich’ on offer despite Chancellor’s promise of March cuts February 21, 2024 Lower interest rate expectations are likely to increase the Chancellor's headroom from £13bn in the Autumn Statement to £23bn this spring, according to the Resolution Foundation.
FTSE 100: What’s moving markets today? February 21, 2024 Asian shares follow Wall Street's decline, HSBC's full-year profit soars by 78%, Walmart hits a record high; investors await the Fed minutes and tech darling Nvidia’s earnings report for market direction.
Bank of England MPC members: ‘Weak recession’ won’t change timing of interest rate cuts February 20, 2024 Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank, came under fire from MPs for having failed to cut interest rates even as inflation approaches target and the UK struggles with very weak growth.
Transitory? UK inflation can’t be explained away by Bank of England’s easy answers February 20, 2024 Last week new figures on the UK economy suggested that something unusual is happening - inflation and unemployment are falling at the same time.
Moving markets: Five things shaping the FTSE 100 today February 20, 2024 Asia stocks struggle despite China's interest rate cut, while Middle East tensions keep oil prices near three-week highs. Investors are focused on Bank of England's Bailey speech and Nvidia earnings.
China’s central bank slashes mortgage rates in high-stakes bid to revitalize property market February 20, 2024 China's central bank slashed the benchmark mortgage interest rate on Tuesday in a bid to jumpstart the country's sluggish property market and boost its struggling economy.
FTSE 100 close: Strong Barclays results fails to lift London due to China concerns February 20, 2024 Caution gripped the air as investors continued to fret over the prospects of the world's second largest economy.