Reeves: Latest interest rate hike is a ‘hammer blow’ which did not need to happen August 4, 2023 Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has labelled the latest rise in interest rates as a “hammer blow for working people” which did not need to happen. The Bank of England raised the base rate for the 14th time in a row on Thursday, taking it to 5.25% in a bid to bring inflation under control. The [...]
Bank of England finally administers bitter medicine to treat inflation August 4, 2023 The City has been ahead of the Bank of England’s thinking for some time. Economists have for months known interest rates are set to stay higher for longer. Most expect them to peak at 5.75 per cent and stay there for, probably, at least a year. Governor Andrew Bailey and co have woken up to [...]
Bank of England lifts interest rates to fresh 15 year high in smaller than feared 14th straight hike August 3, 2023 The Bank of England today hiked the UK’s official interest rate for the 14th time in a row but by a lower degree than some had feared. Members of the nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) voted 6-3 in favour of a 25 basis point rise, smaller than the 50 basis point lift some in the [...]
Bank of England warns of stagnating UK economy and ‘crystallising’ inflation August 3, 2023 The UK economy is on course for a slow burning slump over the coming years and scorching inflation has started to “crystallise,” the Bank of England has warned as it lifted interest rates for the 14th time in a row. In fresh forecasts released today, the central bank said over the next three years, UK [...]
FTSE 100 close: Markets in the red as Bank of England hikes interest rates to 5.25 per cent August 3, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 stayed in the red through most of Thursday on a day which saw the Bank of England confirm a 14th consecutive interest rate hike of 25 basis points. The capital’s premier index was down 1.27 per cent by midday and closed at -0.51 per cent. The domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which [...]
Bank of England interest rate decision today on a knife edge, City economists predict August 3, 2023 As the City gears up for what everyone expects to be the Bank of England’s 14th straight interest rate rise at midday today, economists are split over how much more pain they think the group of rate setters will heap on the UK economy. Are the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) poised to meet market expectations [...]
The Notebook: Victoria Scholar on Muskisms, Barbie and why there’s light at the end of the rate-rising tunnel August 3, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, it’s Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor Little relief from interest rates yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel The Bank of England is forecast to raise interest rates for the 14th time in a row today, lifting [...]
The Bank of England needs to stop rising interest rates to avoid a painful recession August 3, 2023 After all the interest rate rises and inflation predictions, the Bank of England risks an unnecessarily deep recession, writes Damian Pudner.
FTSE 100 close: Shock US debt downgrade sparks market sell-off in London and Europe August 2, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 plummeted during opening exchanges today after a top credit ratings agency slashed their outlook on the US’s finances. The capital’s premier index slumped 1.36 per cent to 7,561.64 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is a better reflection of the health of the UK economy, fell 1.33 per cent [...]
Steady as she goes: Virgin Money launches further buyback after solid third quarter August 2, 2023 Virgin Money’s margin remained stable, despite increasing competition in the market, as Richard Branson’s bank said it anticipates a £175m share buyback at its end of year results. The challenger bank launched a £50m buyback today, after it passed the Bank of England’s stress test, and expects to deliver a £125m buyback with its full [...]