BOE’S BAILEY URGES GREATER PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN COVID RECOVERY

— No Mention of Monetary Policy in Remarks to CityUK Conference By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The governor of the Bank of England has called for enhanced private investment to finance the UK’s economic recovery, lamenting low levels of business investment that pre-date the Covid slowdown. “We live in a time where there appears […]

BANK OF ENGLAND EXPANDS QE PROGRAMME; LEAVES RATES UNCHANGED

— Forecasts Q4 GDP Contraction Raises Speculation Negative Rates in 2021 By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England Thursday expanded its bond-buying programme but left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its latest policy meeting, acknowledging the downside risks to forecasts as a second wave of coronavirus grips the country.  The Bank […]

ECB’S SCHNABEL RAISES THE ALARM ON EU BANKING SECTOR

—But BOE’s Bailey Hails Health of UK banks at Banking Stability Conference By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – A top European Central Bank official lamented the health of the European banking sector, calling for greater integration and risk sharing across the eurozone. The return on equity for eurozone banks fell to 0.01% at the end […]

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 […]

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 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 […]