U.K. inflation matched the Bank of England’s target of 2% in June 2024, as calculated by data from the Official for National Statistics on Wednesday 17th July 2024. The main figure was slightly higher than the 1.9% forecast by analysts surveyed by Reuters, aligning with May’s 2% figure. Following theRead More →
Jerome Powell appears to be further paving the way for a rate cut at the next meeting in July 2024. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reportedly said Monday 15th July 2024 that the central bank will not wait until inflation hits 2% to cut interest rates. Powell referenced the idea that centralRead More →
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a comprehensive gauge for goods and services costs, saw a 0.1% decrease from May 2024, bringing the annual rate to 3%, which is near its lowest point in over three years. When removing the unstable food and energy prices, the core CPI rose by 0.1%Read More →
Jerome Powell on Tuesday 9th July 2024 reportedly expressed concern that holding interest rates too high for too long could jeopardize economic growth. This comment came ahead of the consumer price index reading due this week. Preparing for a two-day session on Capitol Hill, the central bank chief stated thatRead More →
China’s consumer price inflation rose by 0.2% in June 2024 from a year ago, falling short of expectations. Meanwhile, producer prices remained in line with forecasts. Main points Consumer Price Index (CPI) China’s CPI was expected to rise by 0.4% year-on-year in June, according to poll conducted by Reuters. However,Read More →
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has expressed satisfaction with the current progress in the inflation battle but indicated a desire for additional positive data before considering a reduction in interest rates. “We want to be more confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2% before we start the processRead More →
Inflation in the euro zone dipped to 2.5% in June 2024, the European Union’s statistics agency said on Tuesday 2nd July 2024, in line with expectations. However, core inflation, excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, remained at 2.9% from the prior month, just missing the 2.8% forecast. The rate ofRead More →
The core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index witnessed a modest increase of 0.1% (seasonally adjusted) for the month and has risen 2.6% from the previous year – broadly as expected by analysts. May 2024 experienced the lowest annual rate since March 2021, the Federal Reserve’s inflation target is 2%.Read More →
Bank of England offers no election help to Rishi Sunak as the UK interest rate is held at 5.25%. Not that they should. But the UK inflation is on target now at 2% so that’s some consolation. The PM claimed credit as the inflation target was met – happily informingRead More →
Inflation has reached the Bank of England’s target for the first time in nearly three years, having soared to 11.1% in October 2022, the highest in over four decades – driven by a spike in energy and food prices following the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the yearRead More →
The S&P 500 soared to a new high, surpassing 5400 for the first time on Wednesday 12 June 2024, following the Federal Reserve’s latest policy statement and the May 2024 inflation report, which suggested a softening of inflationary pressures. The S&P 500 index rose by 0.85%, closing at around 5421Read More →
The U.S. economy exceeded job growth expectations in May 2024, alleviating concerns of a labour market downturn but potentially diminishing the Federal Reserve’s motivation to cut interest rates. Non-farm payrolls surged by 272,000 for the month – a significant increase from April’s 165,000 and surpassing the consensus forecast of 190,000.Read More →
On Thursday, 6th June 2024, the European Central Bank announced a reduction in interest rates, a move that was widely expected, despite persistent inflationary pressures in the eurozone, which comprises 20 nations. The central bank’s primary rate has been lowered to 3.75%, a decrease from the historic high of 4%Read More →
Eurozone inflation increased to 2.6% in May 2024, according to Eurostat’s announcement on Friday 31st May 2024. Analysts had anticipated a 0.1% rise from the 2.4% headline figure reported in April 2024. Core inflation, which omits the unstable effects of energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, rose to 2.9% from April’sRead More →
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) advises that the Bank of England should contemplate reducing its interest rates to 3.5% by the end of 2025. This suggestion is made as the UK’s economy steadily recovers from the recession caused by the pandemic, while policymakers are dealing with inflationary challenges. The ‘thinking’Read More →
The April inflation came in higher than anticipated, falling to 2.3%, as reported by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday 22nd May 2024. Traders have now reduced their expectations of a June interest rate cut by the Bank of England (BoE). Markets reacted negatively in early trading. The headlineRead More →
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 benchmarkRead More →
The Fed have deliberated over ‘transitory’ inflation – (they got that wrong). They have teased us about when rates will be cut (still waiting). And now we are told no rate cut but: ‘the next rate move is unlikely to be up!’ Probably better to say and do nothing atRead More →
Inflation has become a persistent challenge for the Fed The battle against inflation persists, gradually impacting the U.S. economy and presenting substantial challenges for the Federal Reserve. Despite concerted efforts to control it, inflation remains stubbornly remains, leaving policymakers in a dilemma – to stimulate economic growth or to curbRead More →
Inflation in the U.K. eased to 3.2% from 3.4% in March, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday 17th April 2024. But a higher-than-expected reading creates more concern as investors push back bets on the timing of the first Bank of England (BoE) rate cut. Economists expected 3.1% asRead More →
Markets have fretted about core inflation recently, now analysts are concerned about a highly specific price gauge within the data – ‘supercore’ inflation. This measure tracks services inflation, excluding food, energy, and housing, which has recently surged, rising 4.8% year-over-year in March 2024 and over 8% on a three-month annualisedRead More →
Despite the recent surge in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and better than expected PPI data, markets have shrugged off any concern… for now Fickle On Wednesday 10th April 2024 the CPI data announcement pushed the markets down and on Thursday 11th the markets recovered after the PPI data wasRead More →
Nvidia, manufacturer of one of the most advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), has significantly benefited from the artificial intelligence (AI) surge due to the high demand for its microchips. The company’s shares have fallen 10% from their recent all-time high, which was over $950. On Tuesday, 9th April 2024, theRead More →
The U.S. economy is on a rip, with employers adding around 303,000 jobs in March 2024 – the largest increase in almost a year. As the world’s largest economy continues to surge, questions arise about the Federal Reserve’s next move regarding interest rates. Stronger-than-expected Job Growth The unemployment rate fellRead More →
Eurozone inflation eased to 2.4% in March 2024, as indicated by preliminary figures released on Wednesday 3rd April 2024. This decrease has increased expectations that interest rate cuts may start in the summer 2024. Market analysts anticipate that the central bank will commence reductions in interest rates starting in JuneRead More →
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated on Wednesday 3rd April 2024 that policymakers will need time to assess the current inflation situation, leaving the schedule for potential interest rate reductions unclear. Referring to the stronger-than-anticipated price pressures at the year’s onset, Powell reportedly stated that he and his colleagues areRead More →