Sun, Dec 22, 2024

Bank of England to Keep Rates Unchanged: Inflation in the Spotlight
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GBPUSD is moving in Ascending channel and market has reached higher low area of the channel

Bank of England: A Balancing Act

The Bank of England (BoE) is gearing up for its next policy meeting, and all eyes are on whether they will maintain the current interest rates. Let’s dive into what’s happening, why it matters, and what we might expect from the upcoming decisions.

What’s the Bank of England Up To?

The Bank of England is expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at 5.25% for the seventh consecutive meeting. This decision comes despite some interesting developments in the UK economy, particularly around inflation.

Inflation in the UK

In May, the UK saw an acceleration in disinflationary pressures. This means that while prices were still rising, they were doing so at a slower pace. Specifically, the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.0%, down from 2.3%, and the core CPI, which excludes volatile items like food and energy, rose by 3.5%, down from 3.9%. This marked the first time the CPI hit the bank’s goal since October 2021.

Bank of Canada (BoC)

Market Expectations

The money markets are now predicting around 45 basis points of easing by the end of the year and nearly 30 basis points by November. This suggests that while the Bank of England may not cut rates immediately, there is an expectation that rate cuts are on the horizon.

Potential Messages from the Bank of England

When the BoE meets, they will not only announce their decision on interest rates but also release the Monetary Policy Minutes. These minutes provide insights into the discussions and considerations of the bank’s policymakers.

Cautious Approach

Despite the disinflationary pressures, the BoE is likely to maintain a cautious approach. They are expected to keep the policy rate steady at 5.25%, with a possible vote split of 7-2. Traders will be keenly watching for any hints about the bank’s future actions, particularly regarding the August meeting.

GBPUSD is moving in Symmetrical Triangle and market has reached lower high area of the pattern

GBPUSD is moving in Symmetrical Triangle and market has reached lower high area of the pattern

Governor’s Insights

Governor Andrew Bailey has previously indicated that future rate cuts might need to exceed current market expectations to prevent inflation from dropping below target. This suggests that even if the bank does cut rates, they will do so carefully to avoid derailing the economy.

Voices from the Bank

Several key figures within the BoE have shared their thoughts on the current economic situation and the potential for future rate cuts.

Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent

Outgoing Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent has maintained that a summer rate cut is possible, but only if the data supports such a move. He emphasizes that the BoE is closely watching services CPI in the short term.

caution

Megan Greene’s Perspective

Megan Greene, another key figure, has adjusted her stance. Previously cautious about near-term rate cuts due to high wage growth and services CPI, she now acknowledges that inflation persistence has lessened. This shift suggests that if upcoming data shows further declines in inflation, she might support a rate cut in the near future.

What This Means for GBP/USD

For those keeping an eye on the forex market, the BoE’s decisions have significant implications for the GBP/USD exchange rate.

Current Trends

Despite the decline in inflation, the BoE is unlikely to signal a clear timeline for rate cuts. This means that the British Pound (GBP) is expected to stay within its current range for the time being.

Possible Scenarios

If the BoE maintains a steady course without any major surprises, we might see the GBP/USD pair continue its constructive bias. On the other hand, if the bank hints at future rate cuts or adopts a more dovish tone, there could be some fluctuations.

Summary

The Bank of England is navigating a complex economic landscape. With inflation pressures easing but still present, and market expectations leaning towards future rate cuts, the bank is likely to maintain a cautious stance in its upcoming meeting. For traders and analysts, the focus will be on the language used in the Monetary Policy Minutes and any hints about the bank’s plans for the rest of the year. As always, the decisions made by the BoE will have ripple effects across the economy and the forex markets, making this an important event to watch.


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