Tag: Central Banks

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Gold rises to new high!

Gold up

Gold hits new highs in 2025 amid strong demand

Gold prices have surged to unprecedented levels in 2025, driven by robust demand and a series of global economic uncertainties.

As of early February, gold futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange reached a record high of $2,875 per ounce, marking a significant milestone in the precious metal’s market performance.

Stable safe haven during unstable times

The surge in gold prices can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, geopolitical tensions and economic instability have prompted investors to seek safe-haven assets. Gold, with its historical reputation as a store of value, has become a preferred choice for those looking to hedge against market volatility and inflation.

Central banks

Central banks have also played a crucial role in driving up gold prices. In 2024, global central banks added a record amount of gold to their reserves, with purchases surpassing 1,000 tons for the third consecutive year.

This trend has continued into 2025, with countries like Poland, Turkey, and India leading the way in increasing their gold holdings.

Investment demand for gold has seen a significant uptick as well. Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and bars and coins have experienced strong demand, particularly from investors in China and India.

The reduction of gold import duties in India and economic uncertainties in China have further fueled this demand.

Resistance?

Despite the positive momentum, analysts caution that gold prices could face resistance levels and potential pullbacks. However, the overall outlook remains bullish, with expectations of continued strong demand and further gains in the coming months.

As the global economy navigates through these uncertain times, gold’s allure as a safe-haven asset is likely to persist, making it a key player in the financial markets.

Gold price one-year chart as of 5th February 2025 (am GMT)

Gold price one-year chart as of 5th February 2025 (am GMT)

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Russia’s central bank raises key rate to 21% to tackle high inflation

Russia bank rate

On Friday 25th October 2024, Russia’s central bank increased its key interest rate by 2% (200 basis points) to 21%, attributing the decision to consumer price increases significantly exceeding its projections and cautioning about persistent high inflation risks in the medium term

This rate hike surpasses the 1% (100 basis-point) rise anticipated by analysts and sets the bank’s benchmark rate at its highest level since February 2003, as reported by analysts.

Previously, the key rate had been raised by 1% (100 basis points) to 19% in September 2024.

It was reported that the annual seasonally adjusted inflation hit an average of 9.8% in September 2024, up from 7.5% in August 2024.

It is now anticipated the rate will stick at around the 8.0% – 8.5% range for the remainder of 2024. This is running above a July 2024 forecast of around 6.5% – 7.0%.

See more central bank interest rate moves here

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Swiss central bank cuts rates by 0.25% in third reduction this year

Swiss Bank interest rate cut

The Swiss National Bank on Thursday 26th September 2024 took another step to loosen monetary policy this year, bringing its key interest rate down by 0.25% to 1.0%

The cut in interest rates occurs against a backdrop of muted domestic inflation and a surge in the Swiss franc’s value.

Notably, it marked the first instance of a major Western central bank lowering interest rates in March 2024.

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UK interest rate held at a 16-year high as Bank of England holds rates at 5.25%

On hold

The decision comes as inflation, which measures price rises over a period of time, remains above the Bank’s 2% target at 3.2%. But bank says cuts are coming.

Is the 2% target still a sensible benchmark?

The 2% inflation target set by central banks has been a widely adopted benchmark for monetary policy.

History

The 2% inflation target became prominent in the 1990s and early 2000s. Central banks, such as the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, have aimed to maintain inflation at this level.

The Federal Reserve has typically pursued an inflation rate of about 2% since 1996.

In January 2012, then-Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke formally established the 2% target, and subsequent Fed chairs have continued to endorse this rate as the preferred level of inflation.

Why the 2% target?

Price stability

The 2% inflation target was selected as it provides a balance between preventing problematic inflation and avoiding damaging deflation. Does it work?

Avoiding deflation

Deflation, characterized by falling prices, can hinder economic growth. Central banks target a 2% inflation rate to avert deflation and ensure stability.

Creditor-Debtor compromise

The 2% inflation target represents a balance between creditors’ preference for lower inflation and debtors’ inclination towards higher inflation.

Challenges

Changing economic environment

In recent years, the global economy has encountered distinct challenges, including sluggish growth, technological upheavals, and demographic changes. Consequently, there is a debate on whether the 2% inflation target requires reassessment.

Persistently low inflation

Despite the efforts of central banks, inflation has persisted below the 2% mark in numerous advanced economies, sparking debates over the potential need to modify the target.

Trade-offs

Aiming for a 2% inflation rate can occasionally clash with other policy objectives, like employment or financial stability. It’s crucial for central banks to judiciously manage these competing priorities.

Revision

Several central banks are revising their strategies. For example, the European Central Bank (ECB) has adopted a more adaptable inflation target, permitting temporary exceedances to balance out extended periods of below-target inflation.

The Bank of England also considers broader economic factors when setting policy, rather than rigidly adhering to the 2% target.

IIn summary, although the 2% inflation target has been a helpful benchmark, central banks are progressively willing to adjust their strategies in response to evolving economic conditions. The current debate focuses on striking an optimal balance between stability, growth, and adaptability.

Central banks saw this period of inflation as ‘transitory’ – it wasn’t. It could be argued that their lack of action led to a bigger inflation problem overall.

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Central banks and geopolitics could keep gold demand hot in 2024, World Gold Council says

Gold

World Gold Council

The two most significant events for gold demand in 2023 were the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the Hamas attack on Israel, the World Gold Council (WGC) said, estimating that geopolitics added between 3% and 6% to gold’s performance over the year.

The WGC estimated that central bank demand added 10% or more to gold’s performance in 2023 and said even if 2024 does not reach the same heights, above-trend buying should still offer an extra boost to gold prices.

The precious metal broke through $2,100 per ounce on Monday 4th December 2023 in intra-day trading, before moderating slightly. Spot gold prices were hovering at around $2,030 per ounce Friday 8th December 2023.

Gold price year to date chart

What is the World Gold Council

The World Gold Council (WGC) is a market development organization for the gold industry. It works across all parts of the industry, from gold mining to investment, with the aim of stimulating and sustaining demand for gold. The council sets standards, strengthens markets, and shapes the global conversation about gold. It was established to promote the use of and demand for gold through marketing, research, and lobbying. 

The council includes 33 members, many of which are gold mining companies.

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European Central Bank says: Signs that the global economy is fragmenting into competing blocs

European Central Bank

Fear or Fact?

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on Friday 17th November 2023 reportedly said that Europe is now at a critical juncture, with deglobalization, demographics and decarbonization looming on the horizon.

Fragmentation

‘There are increasing signs that the global economy is fragmenting into competing blocs’, she said at the European Banking Congress, according to a transcript.

Focusing on Europe, she said that a continuous decline in the population of working age looks set to start as early as 2025, alongside climate disasters that are increasing every year.

Her answer to these shocks was that massive investment would be needed in a short space of time, requiring what she called a ‘generational effort‘.

Barriers

‘As new trade barriers appear, we will need to reassess supply chains and invest in new ones that are safer, more efficient and closer to home‘, Lagarde reportedly said.

‘As our societies age, we will need to deploy new technologies so that we can produce greater output with fewer workers. Digitalization will help. And as our climate warms, we will need to advance the green transition without any further delays‘.

Paving the way for AI?

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IMF says now is the time for central bank digital currencies

Central Bank digital money to replace cash

IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva reportedly said that the public sector should keep preparing to deploy central bank digital currencies (CBDC’s) and related payment platforms in the future.

But according to data from the Atlantic Council, only 11 countries have adopted CDBC’s thus far.

Alternative to cash

Central bank digital currencies (CBDC’s) have the potential to replace cash. But adoption could take time, said Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday 15th November 2023.

‘CBDC’s can replace cash which is costly to distribute”, she is reported to have said at the Singapore FinTech event. ‘They can offer resilience in more advanced economies. And they can improve financial inclusion where few hold bank accounts’.

‘CBDC’s would offer a safe and low-cost alternative to cash. They would also offer a bridge between private monies and a yardstick to measure their value, just like cash today which we can withdraw from our banks’, the IMF chief reportedly said.

Fiat currency

CBDC’s are the digital form of a country’s fiat currency, which are regulated by the country’s central bank. They are powered by blockchain technology, allowing central banks to channel government payments directly to households.

Central Bank digital money to replace cash. IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva reportedly said that the public sector should keep preparing to deploy central bank digital currencies (CBDC’s) and related payment platforms in the future.

The IMF has indicated that more than 100 countries are exploring CBDC’s – that’s approximately 60% of countries in the world.

‘The level of global interest in CBDCs is unprecedented. Several central banks have already launched pilots or even issued a CBDC’, the IMF said in a September 2023 report.

According to a 2022 survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements, of the 86 central banks surveyed, 93% said they were exploring CBDCs, while 58% said they were likely to or may possibly issue a retail CBDC in either the short or medium term.

But as of June 2023, only 11 countries had adopted CBDC’s, with an additional 53 in advanced planning stages and 46 researching, according to data from the Atlantic Council.

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Central bank predictions were wrong, why should we take any notice now?

Federal Reserve

Central banks, 18 months ago got it fundamentally wrong and they got it wrong on many other occasions too.

So why take any notice?

The Fed and other central banks insisted that inflation would be ‘transitory’ – it wasn’t. It reached 7%. That’s 5% above the target of 2%.

Along with the misdiagnosis on prices, Fed officials, according to projections released in March 2022, collectively saw the key interest rate rising to just 2.8% by the end of 2023. It is now 5.25%.

Fed mistakes

The Great Depression

The Fed failed to prevent the collapse of the banking system and the contraction of the money supply in the late 1920s and early 1930s, which worsened the economic downturn and prolonged the recovery. The Fed also raised interest rates in 1931 and 1932, which further depressed economic activity and deflation.

The Great Depression (1929–1939) was an economic bomb that affected countries across the world. It was a period of severe economic depression after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. It began around September 1929 and led to the Wall Street stock market crash on 24th October 1929 (Black Thursday). See Wikipedia article here.

It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century.

The Great Depression of 1929

The Great Inflation

The Fed pursued an overly expansionary monetary policy in the 1960s and 1970s, which fueled high inflation and eroded the value of the dollar. The Fed also underestimated the impact of oil shocks and other supply shocks on inflation and was slow to tighten monetary policy to restore price stability. The Fed eventually raised interest rates sharply in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which triggered a severe recession. And in1991 inflation surged to 8.5%.

The Great Recession

The Fed likely contributed to the build-up of financial imbalances and excessive risk-taking in the 2000s, (Dotcom bubble) – by keeping interest rates too low for too long and by failing to adequately supervise and regulate the financial system.

The Fed likely contributed to the build-up of financial imbalances and excessive risk-taking in the 2000s

The Fed also reacted too slowly to the emerging signs of distress in the housing market and the financial sector and was unprepared for the global financial crisis that erupted in 2008. Remember, ‘sub-prime’ lending. We can see signs of similar stress in the U.S. car loan market now.

The Fed had to resort to unconventional monetary policy tools, such as quantitative easing and forward guidance, to stimulate the economy and prevent deflation.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

The Fed and other central banks including the Bank of England initially underestimated the severity and duration of the pandemic and its impact on the economy. The Fed also overestimated the transitory nature of inflation, which surged to a 30-year high in 2021 due to supply chain disruptions, pent-up demand, fiscal stimulus, and base effects. The Fed maintained an ultra-accommodative monetary policy stance for too long, despite mounting evidence of overheating and inflationary pressures. 

The Fed finally raised interest rates by 0.75% in December 2022, but faced criticism for being behind the curve and for communicating poorly with the markets.

Transitory inflation

The Fed said inflation would be transitory in 2021 and 2022. The Fed used this term to describe the higher-than-normal prices that emerged during the Covid-19 economic crisis, which were expected to be temporary and not part of a long-term trend. The Fed attributed the inflation surge to factors such as supply chain bottlenecks, pent-up demand, fiscal stimulus, and base effects. 

The Fed also said that it would let inflation run above its 2% target for some time, to achieve an average inflation rate of 2% over time. However, as inflation remained high and persistent in 2021 and 2022, the Fed faced criticism for being behind the curve and for communicating poorly with the markets. The Fed eventually raised interest rates.

And now, much of the same. The Fed is again ‘tinkering’ with policy to manage ‘transitory’ inflation and will most probably engineer a recession as a result.

Enough said.

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Bank of England says inflation rate 5% by Christmas 2023?

Bank Governor

That’s still 3% above the target of 2%

The Bank of England’s forecasting, which has a major impact on the UK economy, is being reviewed and has been criticised.

After the Bank raised interest rates for a 14th time in a row in an effort to slow price rises in Augts 2023, officials have predicted inflation to fall from the current rate of 7.9%, to ‘around 5%‘ by the end of the year. The Bank puts rates up when they are concerned that too much spending will send prices spiralling.

So, in light of its estimating techniques being challenged, how much faith should we put in ‘5% by Christmas’?

For the last two years, the Bank of England has been underestimating the likely rate of inflation in the short term. MPs have been critical of the Bank’s forecast, and its officials have acknowledged they have got some judgements wrong in their forecasting.

The Central Bank has also announced a review into how it makes forecasts.

This was one of the questions put to the Bank of England governor

Mr Baron: Good morning, everyone. In looking at the bank rate going forward, some of us, it is fair to say, have long believed that central banks, including the Bank of England, have been well behind the curve with regard to inflation. As the Chair has said, forecasting has been awry. The Bank of England is one among others that has been too slow in raising interest rates, allowing inflation to mushroom well above the 2% target.

I have put it as strongly as suggesting that it has been a woeful neglect of duty. It is causing real pain out there for people and businesses. We should always remember, as we sit in our, sometimes, white ivory towers, having these debates, that we are talking about people’s lives and businesses that are having to grapple with double-digit inflation and interest rates perhaps going up too quickly. I think that you get it, but it is useful to remind ourselves of that.

Why should the public have confidence in your ability to get it right going forward? What lessons do you think that you have learned? What are you going to do differently? I am not hearing a satisfactory answer to that...

See the full report here – be prepared, it’s an acquired taste and a long read…

More wrong than right

However, some critics have argued that the BoE’s forecasts are often too optimistic or pessimistic, and that they fail to capture the impact of major shocks or structural changes in the economy. For example, the BoE was widely criticised for underestimating the severity of the 2008 financial crisis and overestimating the negative effects of Brexit on the economy. Some have also questioned the usefulness of the BoE’s forecasts for guiding monetary policy decisions, as they may be influenced by political or psychological factors.

Therefore, it may be wise to take the BoE’s forecasts with a grain of salt, and not to rely on them too much for making economic or financial decisions. The BoE’s forecasts are not useless, but they are not infallible either. They are one of many sources of information and analysis that can help us understand the state and prospects of the UK economy, but they should not be treated as gospel truth.

The Bank of England has been wrong with too many forecasts, so why bother? Target 2%, actual above 10%!

I rest my case.

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FedNow: A New Instant Payment System for US Banks

Digital Dollar

New FED Payment System

The FEDNOW payment system is a new instant payment infrastructure developed by the Federal Reserve that allows financial institutions of every size across the U.S. to provide safe and efficient instant payment services. 

Live system

It went live on July 20, 2023 and enables individuals and businesses to send and receive money in near real-time, 24/7/365, through their depository institution accounts. 

The service is a flexible, neutral platform that supports a broad variety of instant payments and offers optional features such as fraud prevention tools, request for payment capability, and tools to support payment inquiries. 

FedNow is the first new payment rail in the United States since the introduction of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) in the early 1970s.

Digital Dollar?

Is this a possibly a pre-emptive strike to get ahead of international digital currency deployment and set the scene to adopt a digital payment structure of a new ‘crypto coin system’ for the future – the digital dollar?

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Ripple effect! XRP surges after U.S. judge rules it is not a security in… some instances

XRP Ripple

SEC Ruling – July 2023

XRP, the native token of the blockchain company Ripple, soared more than 60% on Thursday after a U.S. judge delivered a major victory to the firm in its legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The SEC had sued Ripple in December 2020, alleging that it had raised over $1.3 billion through the sale of XRP in an unregistered securities offering. The SEC claimed that XRP was an investment contract that gave buyers the expectation of profits based on Ripple’s efforts.

However, the Judge ruled that XRP was not a security “on its face” and that some aspects of its sale did not violate the federal securities laws.

Crypto
Digital coin

The judge drew a distinction between the sales of XRP to institutional investors, which she said could constitute investment contracts, and the sales of XRP to the general public on exchanges, which did not.

Argument

The judge also denied Ripple’s argument that the SEC lacked jurisdiction over XRP transactions because they were not domestic, and agreed with the SEC that the Howey test, a four-pronged criteria to determine whether an asset is a security, applied to cryptocurrency transactions.

The ruling was welcomed by Ripple and its supporters, who argued that XRP was a utility token that facilitated cross-border payments and did not depend on Ripple’s efforts for its value.

Ripple’s chief legal officer, reportedly tweeted: “A huge win today – as a matter of law – XRP is not a security. Also, a matter of law – sales on exchanges are not securities. Sales by executives are not securities. Other XRP distributions – to developers, charities, and employees- are not securities.”

A lawyer representing over 19,000 XRP holders who intervened in the case, reportedly called on U.S. exchanges to relist XRP in solidarity with the decision.

Crypyo boost

The ruling also boosted the sentiment in the broader crypto market, as it suggested that the SEC did not have unlimited authority over digital assets and that some tokens could escape the securities classification.

Cryptocurrency
‘Have you seen the news? Crypto might possibly could be going manstream.’ ‘Oh WOW! – What’s crypto?’

Crypto-related stocks such as Coinbase and crypto-coins such as ADA, HBAR, BITCOIN & ETH surged following the news.

More to come?

However, the case is not quite over yet, as the SEC said it would continue to review the decision and pursue its claims against Ripple for the sales of XRP to institutional investors.

The SEC also responded to the judge’s ruling by saying that it did not change its position that XRP was a security and that it would seek to prove that Ripple violated the securities laws in certain circumstances.

The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the crypto industry, as it could set a precedent for how other tokens are regulated and how other lawsuits are resolved.

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There are two I’s in Inflation…

THERE ARE TWO I'S IN INFLATION!

Interest rates and inflation in the UK

The UK is facing a cost of living crisis as inflation has soared to its highest level in decades. The Bank of England has raised interest rates 13 times since December 2021 in an attempt to bring inflation back down to its original target of 2%. But what does this mean for consumers, savers and borrowers?

What is inflation and why is it rising?

The current UK interest rate is now: 5.0%

Inflation is the term used to describe rising prices. How quickly prices go up is called the rate of inflation. Inflation affects the purchasing power of money, meaning that the same amount of money buys less goods and services over time.

The rate of inflation in the UK is measured by two main indicators: the consumer price index (CPI) and the retail price index (RPI). The CPI is based on a basket of products and services that people typically buy, while the RPI also includes mortgage interest payments.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the CPI inflation rate was 8.7% in the year to May 2023, while the RPI inflation rate was 11.4%. This means that on average, prices were 8.7% and 11.4% higher respectively than they were a year ago.

The main drivers of inflation in the UK are:

  • Energy bills: Wholesale gas prices have surged due to global supply disruptions since the pandemic hit in 2020, geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine and increased demand. The government introduced an energy price guarantee to freeze energy prices for six months, but prices still went up 27% in October 2022. The energy price guarantee has been extended.
  • Shortages: The pandemic and Brexit have caused labour and supply chain issues that have affected many sectors, such as food, clothing, construction and hospitality. This has led to higher costs and lower availability of some goods and services.
  • Demand: As the economy recovers from the lockdowns, consumer spending has picked up, especially on leisure and travel activities. This has increased the demand for some goods and services, pushing up their prices.

How do interest rates affect inflation?

Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money or the reward for saving money. The Bank of England sets the bank rate, which is the interest rate it charges to commercial banks that borrow from it. The bank rate influences other interest rates in the economy, such as mortgage rates, loan rates and savings rates.

Interest rates climbed ever higher as the Bank of England lost control of inflation

The Bank of England uses interest rates as a tool to control inflation. The Bank has a target to keep inflation at 2%, but the current rate is more than five times that. When inflation rises, the Bank increases interest rates to make borrowing more expensive and saving more attractive. This reduces the amount of money circulating in the economy and slows down rising prices.

The Bank has raised interest rates 13 times since December 2021, from 0.1% to 5.0%. This is the highest level since March 2009, when interest rates were cut to a record low of 0.5% following the global financial crisis.

What does higher inflation mean for your money?

Higher inflation means that your money loses value over time. For example, if you had £100 in April 2022 and inflation was 8.7%, you would need £108.70 in April 2023 to buy the same amount of goods and services.

Higher inflation also affects your income, spending, saving and borrowing decisions.

  • Income: If your income does not keep up with inflation, you will have less purchasing power and lower living standards. For example, if your salary was £30,000 in April 2022 and increased by 2% in April 2023, you would earn £30,600. But if inflation was 8.7%, you would need £32,610 to maintain your purchasing power.
  • Spending: Higher inflation may encourage you to spend more now rather than later, as you expect prices to rise further in the future. However, this may also reduce your savings and increase your debt.
  • Saving: Higher inflation reduces the real return on your savings, meaning that your savings grow slower than prices. For example, if you had £10,000 in a savings account that paid 1% interest in April 2022, you would have £10,100 in April 2023. But if inflation was 8.7%, your savings would be worth only £9,300 in real terms.
  • Borrowing: Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive, meaning that you have to pay more interest on your loans and mortgages. For example, if you had a £200,000 mortgage with a 25-year term and a 2% interest rate in April 2022, your monthly payment would be £848. But if the interest rate rose to 4.5% in April 2023, your monthly payment would increase to £1,111. Mortgage interest rates hit 6% in July 2023.

How can you protect your money from inflation?

There are some steps you can take to protect your money from inflation, such as:

  • Review your budget: Track your income and expenses and see where you can cut costs or increase income. Try to save more and spend less, especially on non-essential items.
  • Shop around: Compare prices and deals for the goods and services you need or want. Look for discounts, vouchers and cashback offers. Switch providers or suppliers if you can find better value elsewhere.
  • Pay off debt: This is a priority! If you have high-interest debt, such as credit cards or overdrafts, try to pay it off as soon as possible. This will reduce the amount of interest you pay and free up more money for saving or investing.
  • Save smartly: Look for savings accounts or products that offer interest rates higher than inflation (tricky to find). Consider diversifying your savings into different types of assets, such as stocks, bonds, property or gold. These may offer higher returns than cash in the long term, but bear in mind they also carry more risk and volatility.
  • Invest wisely: If you have a long-term goal, such as retirement or buying a house, you may want to invest some of your money in the stock market or other assets that can grow faster than inflation. However, you should only invest what you can afford to lose and be prepared for the ups and downs of the market. You should also seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.

Conclusion

Inflation and interest rates are two important factors that affect the UK economy and your personal finances. The UK is currently experiencing high inflation due to various factors, such as energy prices, shortages and demand. The Bank of England has raised interest rates to try to bring inflation back down to its target of 2%. Higher inflation and interest rates have implications for your income, spending, saving and borrowing decisions. You can take some steps to protect your money from inflation, such as reviewing your budget, shopping around, paying off debt, saving smartly and investing wisely.

How well has the Bank of England done to keep inflation at or close to 2%?

See next article…

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Inflation in the UK is proving stubborn

Central Banks are struggling to catch-up with inflation

UK inflation rate remains high at 8.7% in May 2023

The UK inflation rate remained at 8.7% in the year to May 2023, according to the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the same rate that was recorded in April, but down from the 10.1% level seen in March.

The ONS said that rising prices for air travel, recreational and cultural goods and services, and second-hand cars resulted in the largest upward contributions to the annual inflation rate. However, these were offset by falling prices for motor fuel and food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The ONS also reported that core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, rose to 7.1% in May, up from 6.8% in April, and the highest rate since March 1992.

‘I’m just taking this calculator thingy to my boss, I thought it might help’. ‘Well, good idea, guess it can’t make it any worse’.

High inflation is the fault of everyone else other than the central bank

The inflation rate is measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which tracks the changes in the cost of a basket of goods and services that are typically purchased by households. The CPIH, which includes owner occupiers’ housing costs, rose by 7.9% in the year to May, up from 7.8% in April.

The high inflation rate has been driven by a combination of factors, including supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, higher energy costs, and strong consumer demand as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bank of England has a target to keep inflation at 2%, but it has said that it expects inflation to rise further in the coming months before falling back next year. The Bank has also signalled that it may raise interest rates sooner than expected to curb inflationary pressures.

However, June’s inflation reading came in below economists expectations at 7.3% A small but welcome reversal of high UK inflation. UK inflation is higher than the EU and U.S.

Are central banks doing a good job at controlling inflation? Bear in mind the inflation target is 2%…