By Greg Smith on Tuesday, May 4th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – BoE to upgrade forecasts, Scottish election focus In addition to the Bank of England, there will also be a focus on Scottish elections and Welsh parliament and English local elections. There are roughly even odds on the SNP winning a majority in the 129-seat Scottish parliament. As they favour another independence referendum, a […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, April 26th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Economy improves but concerns remain Last week’s data gave further evidence of a rapid economic rebound as lockdown restrictions ease. Retail sales for March rose at the fastest rate for 9 months. Online sales helped retailers which will be further boosted the reopening of shops in April. The April PMIs figures also point […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, April 19th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Economy expanding post lockdown The UK economy has started to expand again after the drop in activity through the lockdown. GDP increased by 0.4% in February after falling 2.2% in January. Output is set to increase again in March ahead of the resumption of economic activity. We expect an overall contraction in the […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, April 12th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Further easing shadowed by vaccine concerns Today we have a further easing of lockdown restrictions in England, despite vaccine concerns and supply. Non-essential retailers and some other consumer businesses are allowed to reopen. Pubs and restaurants will also be allowed to serve customers outside. The suggestion from the government is that the further […]
By Greg Smith on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Reopening economy points to growth As we move into the second quarter, we expect a return to growth in the UK, with surging US growth but uncertainty in the Eurozone. The US has a further $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus to provide a further boost, with both the UK and US on target with […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, March 29th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Slight easing of restrictions The possibility of a strong economic rebound continues to support markets. Concerns remain of a new Covid wave that could lead to further restrictions which would affect this. This week, there is limited data in the run-up to Easter. There is a modest easing of Covid restrictions in England […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, March 22nd, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – BoE hold, Consumer confidence up Last week, the Bank of England left Base Rate at 0.1% and maintained the current pace of asset purchases. Overall, the signal from the BoE is that policymakers are comfortable with the rise in bond yields because it reflects optimism about the economic recovery. Consumer confidence appears to […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, March 15th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – BoE to hold policy This week, Bank of England (BoE) policymakers are likely to make it clear that monetary policy will remain supportive. They may comment that markets are wrong to worry about a rise in inflationary pressures. Some policymakers have said that the rise in bond yields may be a justified reaction […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, March 8th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Steps out of lockdown Today marks the first steps out of lockdown for England with schools reopening. Two people from different households can also meet outside and care home residents can have one regular visitor. The next step will come at the end of March with the rule of six (or two households) […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, March 1st, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Chancellor Sunak’s Budget Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver the Budget on Wednesday with suggestions that tax increases will be signposted. Government borrowing has surged over the past year and Sunak has highlighted the need to make this more sustainable. Some think that a corporation tax increase could be signalled within this Budget. […]
