Andrew Bailey is putting the Bank’s independence at risk if he wavers on inflation May 18, 2022 Andrew Bailey’s ability to steer monetary policy through the inflation crisis will determine the Bank’s future strength
Investors look through inflation headwinds to focus on strong earnings May 17, 2022 Investors dismissed concerns over inflationary pressures firming in the UK economy and focused on a string of positive company earnings, lifting London’s indexes today. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index climbed 0.72 per cent to 7,518.35 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, [...]
Pubs and restaurants battle to keep prices competitive amid ‘intense pressure’ on margins May 17, 2022 The hospitality sector has warned of “intense pressure” on margins while shoppers have been told food prices could surge as much as 10 per cent. Marks & Spencer chairman Archie Norman cautioned that shoppers could see an even pricey weekly shop amid historic levels of inflation. Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on [...]
The City View: Michael Hewson on problematic consumer spending growth May 17, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Michael Hewson, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets. They unpick the latest wage and labour figures, analyse Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey’s comments at the Treasury select committee, go through inflation predictions for 2022, and discuss why current consumer spending growth in the US and UK will be problematic [...]
Bets on US recession ‘badly misplaced’ after strong retail sales May 17, 2022 Bets on the US economy tipping into a recession “look badly misplaced” as consumer spending shows little sign of cooling amid historically high inflation That’s according to Wall Street analysts’ assessment of new retail sales data published today illustrating the US consumer is shaking off soaring living costs. Retail sales jumped 0.9 per cent over [...]
Wages trail inflation as Brits brace for cost of living crunch to enter most damaging spell May 17, 2022 Brits’ spending power is being crimped at a historic rate, but is set to plunge even quicker as the cost of living crunch enters its most damaging period, reveals official figures published today. Regular pay adjusted for inflation dropped at the fastest pace in nearly a decade over the last quarter to March, falling 1.2 [...]
Brexit: UK announces plan to kill off Northern Ireland protocol, outrage and disbelief in EU capitals May 17, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss just announced the Government’s intention to introduce legislation “in the coming weeks to make changes in the [Northern Ireland] protocol”. She told the Commons: “As the Prime Minister said, our shared objective has to be to find a solution that commands the broadest possible cross-community support for years to come and [...]
London indexes muted ahead of week of jolting data May 16, 2022 London’s top indexes were muted today as investors eyed a week of flagship economic announcements. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index climbed 0.63 per cent higher to 7,464.80 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, inched up 0.01 per cent to 19,924.11 points. [...]
Governor Bailey: Nothing different BoE could have done to prevent double-digit inflation May 16, 2022 Bank of England chief Andrew Bailey today defended his performance in overseeing “the biggest test” in the monetary authority’s 25 years of independence. Bailey, 63, said there was nothing else the Bank could have done to prevent inflation surging to more than five times its two per cent target in response to a grilling by [...]
Russia-Ukraine war generates new headwinds for European economy May 16, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is generating fresh headwinds that will choke the European economy, reveal official forecasts published today. Surging energy prices caused by concerns over supply security following Moscow sending troops into Ukraine are set to strain households and businesses on the Continent. High input prices are likely to weigh on production, while elevated [...]