BANK OF ENGLAND CHIEF ECONOMIST SEES NO CURRENT NEED FOR NEGATIVE RATES
–Haldane Heralds Rapid UK Rebound, Despite Soft Consumer Confidence By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – A top Bank of England official Wednesday vigorously downplayed the need for sub-zero interest rates in the UK, citing an economic recovery that has far outpaced the Bank’s expectations. “At present, none of the conditions [that would necessitate negative rates] […]
BANK OF ENGLAND CHIEF CONTINUES TO REVIEW NEGATIVE RATES; DOWNPLAYS IMMINENT RATE CUT
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England is continuing to review the efficacy of negative interest in the UK, but the country’s leading central banker Tuesday downplayed the possibility of any policy change over the near term. The Bank is “doing the groundwork” on the benefit of sub-zero rates, but has “reached […]
BANK OF ENGLAND’S CHIEF ECONOMIST PREDICTS PERMANENT SCARRING TO THE LABOUR MARKET
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The UK labour market could suffer permanent scarring as a result of the coronavirus, according to a top central banker. “There’s a good chance that coronavirus will” accelerate a shift toward knowledge-based digital industries that was already in train before the pandemic ravaged the economy, Bank of England Chief […]
BANK OF ENGLAND’S BAILEY SETS THE STAGE FOR RATE CUT
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The UK’s top central banker sketched out the details of the Bank of England’s deliberations on sub-zero interest rates on Tuesday, dropping his heaviest hint yet that rates could fall into negative territory over the medium term. “We’ve got to work with the banks” to ensure that negative rates don’t […]
BOE LEAVES POLICY UNCHANGED; SETS THE STAGE FOR NOVEMBER EASING
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England made no changes to its benchmark rate or quantitative easing package at Wednesday’s rate setting meeting but left the door wide open for policy changes at its next gathering in November. Interest rates remain at a record low of 0.1%, while the total stock of the […]
BofA GLOBAL MANAGERS’ SURVEY: STILL UPBEAT RE WORLD GROWTH PROSPECT; BULLISH EQUITIES
— Inflation Fears Persist By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global investors polled in September remained upbeat about world growth prospects and bullish towards equities, according to the findings of BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. This month, a net 84% of fund managers looked for global growth to strengthen […]
BOE’S BAILEY: BANK UNDERESTIMATED ITS FIRE POWER; SEES AMPLE ASSETS IF EXPANDED QE NEEDED
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England underestimated the tools at its disposal in the event of a Covid-sized crisis and sees an ample supply of financial assets should the economy require further quantitative easing. “It looks from today’s vantage point that we were too cautious about our remaining firepower pre-Covid,” said Bank […]
BOE DEFENDS FORECASTS AS AGENTS QUERY OPTIMISTIC ASSUMPTIONS
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Top Bank of England officials Friday reiterated the downside risks to forecasts of a smart economic rebound under questioning from the BoE’s regional representatives about the Bank’s baseline forecasting assumptions. The central forecast released Thursday “is sensible,” albeit with “very substantial” downside risk, said Governor Andrew Bailey, addressing a […]
BOE HOLDS POLICY, KEEPS SUB-ZERO RATES UNDER REVIEW DESPITE CONSUMER RECOVERY
— Bank predicts 18% gain in Q3 GDP By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England maintained its current policy stance at its latest rate setting meeting, but admitted that negative interest rates remain under review, despite forecasting a sharp economic rebound in the third quarter. Bank forecasters predict an 18% surge in […]
BOE’S HALDANE: MPC MULLING SUB-ZERO RATES DESPITE STRONG ECONOMIC RECOVERY
By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England is continuing to assess the efficacy of negative interest rates, despite a stronger-than-expected economy recovery, the bank’s chief economist said Monday. Sub-zero interest rates are “actively under review,” said Andy Haldane, addressing the UK’s Treasury Select Committee. The bank could also consider expanding its quantitative […]