By Greg Smith on Monday, February 28th, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Ukraine crisis concerns everyone The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been a key focus for markets. A Russian incursion was expected in the breakaway Ukrainian provinces. Very few people anticipated such a large invasion, which led to market turmoil, with shares falling and oil and gas prices rising. With ongoing war in Ukraine […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, February 21st, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Inflation at 30-year high with tight employment market This week, Bank of England Governor Bailey and three other Committee members will testify to the House of Common’s Treasury Select Committee about their February update. They raised interest rates for the second successive meeting. Markets are pricing in rate hikes at the March and […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, February 14th, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Inflation to hold firm, Employment data The most important market data this week is the inflation and labour market data. Inflation has been higher than forecasts for the last three months, hitting 5.4% in December. Most of the increase has been goods and energy prices, but the Bank of England is concerned about […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, February 7th, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – 0.25% increase from hawkish BoE As many were expecting, a hawkish Bank of England delivered its second interest rate increase in as many months, doubling the base rate to 0.5%. More surprisingly, however, is that 4 members of the committee voted for a bigger 0.5% rise. Governor Andrew Bailey expects further increases to […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, January 31st, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Second rate hike looms with higher inflation The main focus this week will be the Bank of England’s latest monetary policy decision. In December, interest rates were hiked by 15bp to 0.25%. Official data has shown UK economic output returning to its pre-pandemic level. Inflation remains higher than expected, hitting 5.4% in December, […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, January 24th, 2022
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Conservative partygate, inflation continues higher Much of the media focus on the UK has been around the prime minister, partygate and the Conservative party attempts to replace him. The market impact has been limited with no expected change to UK economic policy with a different Conservative in charge. Ongoing geopolitical tension around whether […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, December 20th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
We would like to wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! GBP – Bank of England hike whilst Omicron rampant The markets and many individuals and businesses are watching how quickly Omicron is spreading. Further rapid acceleration of cases will boost speculation about further restrictions. Parliament is on […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, December 13th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Bank of England decision amid growing Omicron impact The new Omicron variant has now been reported in over fifty countries. Reports suggest that cases in the UK are doubling every two to three days. The government has announced further restrictions in England, including mandatory face masks, working from home if possible and vaccine […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, December 6th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Central bank speakers suggest caution The new omicron Covid-variant continues to be a major concern for the markets and central banks. The variant seems to be spreading rapidly in South Africa, but it will likely be a few weeks before reliable evidence on transmissibility, severity of symptoms and vaccine evasion. This uncertainty and […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, November 29th, 2021
in Blog, Market Insights
GBP – Covid variant concerns and restrictions dominate Concerns around Covid have spooked the markets again with the new Covid variant. Travel restrictions have been imposed into the UK from six southern African countries. Further restrictions are expected as scientists rush to understand the new variant. The initial market response was a drop in equities […]
