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UK inflation doubles in April as lockdown restrictions ease

UK inflation has more than doubled in April as energy and clothes prices pushed the consumer price index up to 1.5% amid the easing of lockdown restrictions.

A rise from March’s 0.7% readout, the figure comes more in line with the Bank of England’s expected rate of 2% by the end of the year.

Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) identified rising household utility, clothing and motor fuel prices as the biggest drivers of the increase which was still partially offset by a large downward contribution from recreation and culture.

Gas and electricity saw big jumps with price rises of 9.4% and 9.1% respectively between March and April driven by a spike in global demand for wholesale gas.

A bounce in oil prices from $20 per barrel last year to around $70 today also put pressure on inflation and will continue to do so as demand increases as the global economy opens up again.

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Ambrose Crofton, global market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, said that “a confluence of factors including Brexit-related trade frictions, rising commodity and freight prices are adding cost-push pressure” to the manufacturing side of the economy.

End of furlough scheme could keep inflationary pressures at bay

Inflation is likely to increase further throughout the year as “the economy gradually reopens, the recovery picks up steam and supply constraints intensify in the sectors that were hit by the pandemic,” according to Silvia Dall’Angelo, senior economist at the International Business of Federated Hermes.

Dall’Angelo said higher wholesale gas prices could lead to hikes in regulated utility prices later in the autumn, pushing CPI inflation close to 3%.

But she notes that as inflationary drivers are “set to be largely cost-push and hence temporary” with residual disruption to the labour market likely to show up at the end of the furlough scheme in September, underlying inflationary pressures could be contained.

Read about the UK Housing Market via our Specialist Residential & Buy to Let Division

Economic recovery could be a Trojan horse for inflation

However AJ Bell financial analyst Laith Khalaf said that “at current levels, UK inflation is nothing to fret about, but there is rising concern that the fiscal and monetary response to the pandemic has sown the seeds of an inflationary scare further down the road.”

The Bank of England showed no signs of tightening the reins just yet as it announced it would make no changes to monetary policy earlier this month with interest rates remaining at 0.1% for now despite its improved economic forecasts.

Khalaf said: “For the moment, the Bank of England is dismissing consumer price increases as a natural bounce back from the depths of the pandemic last spring. But the economic recovery could be a Trojan horse, smuggling inflation into the UK, right under the nose of central bankers.”

Khalaf noted that inflationary fears are already starting to creep into the market with the 10-year gilt yielding 0.9%, up from 0.2% at the beginning of the year.

Despite this Oliver Blackbourn, multi-asset portfolio manager at Janus Henderson, notes real yields “remain very negative as guidance about interest rates continues to hold down nominal yields, even in the face of expected strong growth and rising inflation”.

“While breakeven rates on UK gilts are towards the upper end of where they have been over the last two decades, it is not clear that they are at a level that should be unduly concerning for the Bank yet.”

By Harriet Habergham

Source: Portfolio Adviser

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UK inflation rate jumps to 1.8 per cent in January

UK inflation rose to a six-month high of 1.8 per cent in January, a significant increase from December’s rate of 1.3 per cent, according to official data released today.

The rate remains below the Bank of England’s (BoE) target of two per cent. The bump comes as a surprise to analysts, who had forecast the rate to rise half as much to 1.6 per cent.

The rise was seen as a vindication of the BoE’s decision not to cut rates at its January meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), despite fears of a potential recession.

Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, said: “The MPC can now reflect positively on their decision to not jump the gun in January, on the back of some poor end of 2019 readings.

“There were too many one-off factors to explain the weakness and the level-headed approach appears to have paid off”.

Sterling initially rose 0.2 per cent against the dollar on the back of the news, breaking through $1.30, before paring its gains.

Activtrades senior analyst Ricardo Evangelista said that the boost showed the British economy continues to give signs of vitality “against all odds”.

The Office of National Statistics said the main drivers of the increase in inflation were increases in the housing and household services – gas and energy bills – as well as transport, which rose 0.2 per cent on rising fuel pump prices.

Recovering energy prices, which had taken a hit on the back of Ofgem’s introduction of the initial price cap last year, recovered after last year’s fall.

The retail and hospitality sectors also recorded rises, with the main contribution coming from women’s clothing. Despite evidence of increased discounting in December, the data showed little reduction in the number of items on sale.

Restaurants and hotels helped push the index as prices for overnight hotel accommodation fell by 3.9 per cent between December 2019 and January 2020, compared with a fall of 9.1 per cent between December 2018 and January 2019.

In a reversal from last month’s results, food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed a small negative contribution as December saw prices fall.

Ayush Ansal, investment chief at Crimson Black Capital, said that few would have seen this “curveball coming”:

“A rise was priced in but for inflation to surge by so much in just one month will have caught pound watchers by surprise. In just a month the doves at the Bank of England have gone from driving seat to back seat.

“With the chances of an interest rate cut now negligible, the pound will inevitably benefit”.

Robert Alster, head of investment services at Close Brothers Asset Management, said: “Inflation is ticking upwards, driven by greater consumer confidence, but does remain below target.

“However, despite this greater economic optimism, the UK is not yet out of the Brexit fog and the 31 December cliff-edge is only getting closer. The Bank of England will be trepidatious about bold monetary decisions until the scale of this post-EU disruption is known”.

By Edward Thicknesse

Source: City AM

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Inflation fall could ‘fan expectations’ for interest rate cut, say economists

The fall in UK inflation could fan expectations that the Bank of England might cut interest rates, City analysts have said.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) slid to 1.5% in October from 1.7% the previous month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The decrease, which was greater than analysts had predicted, suggested households will have more spending power ahead of Christmas and next month’s General Election.

Economists have said falling prices will drive calls for lower interest rates, potentially following moves by the US and European central banks to make cuts.

Howard Archer, chief economic adviser for the EY Item Club, said: “Inflation dipping more than expected to 1.5% in October will also likely fan expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates before too long if the economy fails to pick up from its current struggles.

“Consumer price inflation looks likely to remain close to 1.5% over the rest of the year and through the early months of 2020 – and it could conceivably edge down further.”

Last week the Bank of England voted to hold rates, despite two members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) calling for a cut.

The policymakers referenced signs that the labour market was cooling, while colleagues were cautious about Brexit uncertainty and a slowdown in the global economy.

David Cheetham, chief market analyst at XTB, agreed that the decrease will push calls for the cut but time is not on the side of the MPC.

He said: “A larger than expected fall in the most widely followed gauge of inflation could lead to further calls for the Bank of England to lower interest rates.

“Either way it is still highly unlikely that we get any movements in rates before the year is out, with the final policy decision due just one week after the General Election.”

On Tuesday, the ONS also revealed that wage growth had slowed to 3.6% in September from 3.8% the previous month. It remains significantly above the rate of inflation.

Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director for personal investing at Fidelity International, said the inflation slowdown could be “welcome news” for consumers.

She added: “Inflation continues to languish below the Bank of England’s target of 2%, highlighting the impact of a year of uncertainty upon the UK economy.

“With a General Election and Brexit on the horizon, it’s difficult to foresee exactly when the political and economic environment might stabilise, and if nothing changes for the better the Bank of England will be under pressure to introduce an interest rate cut in early 2020.

“Should this happen, savers and investors need to think carefully about how to make their money work hardest, with the prospect of cash returns dwindling even further.”

The inflation announcement had little impact on the pound, fell 0.07% to 1.283 against the dollar.

Source: Shropshire Star

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UK Inflation Continues its Downward Trend and is Unlikely to Pick Up Anytime soon

The Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation in the UK showed prices increased by 1.7% year-on-year in September, unchanged on the previous month but a shade below the market’s expectation for a more robust reading of 1.9%, as a trend of steadily declining price pressures on the UK consumer extends.

According to the ONS, the softer-than-expect inflation reading was driven by downward pressures to the costs of motor fuels, second-hand cars, and electricity, gas and other fuels.

However, increases in the cost of furniture, household appliances, hotel overnight stays, and from recreation and culture items limited the decline in the prices consumers are paying.

The data confirms a steady trend of declining cost pressures in the UK, with prices moving steadily lower from the multi-year peak of 3.1% measured in November 2017.

The movement in prices will almost certainly only add to the perception that there is little reason for the Bank of England to raise interest rates anytime soon.

Yesterday’s labour market data confirmed the jobs market is softening, and combined with the downward trend confirmed by today’s inflation data, the Bank of England could in fact see scope for an interest rate cut as being their next move.

Such an outcome would likely weigh on Sterling’s outlook, as currency’s tend to fall when their central bank signals it is about to enter a rate cutting cycle.

Of course, it it is too soon to speculate on Bank of England policy moves, as it will be heavily Brexit dependent. But, strip out Brexit and we see the pressures to raise rates that were in place at the start of 2019 have now certainly evaporated.

And, cost prices are only likely to stay lower for longer, according to economists.

“Absent hard Brexit and a significant decline in Sterling inflation are likely to keep undershooting BoE’s 2% target. Meanwhile, the decelerating global demand could act as another deflationary impulse as Chinese goods blocked by tariffs in the US are likely to make their way towards Europe. BoE is likely to stay put for a while as, considering how fragile the UK economy is at the moment, a policy mistake would be disastrous,” says Artur Baluszynski, Head of Research at Henderson Rowe.

Written by Gary Howes

Source: Pound Sterling Live

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Will the Bank of England raise or cut interest rates after UK inflation data?

UK inflation has grown at an annual rate of two per cent for the second month in a row, official statistics confirmed today.

The consumer price index (CPI) figure is bang on the Bank of England’s target. It thinks two per cent inflation is ideal for ensuring smooth growth in the economy.

But what does this mean for the Bank’s main interest rate, which currently stands at 0.75 per cent?

If inflation drops below two per cent, the BoE should theoretically cut rates to encourage borrowing and spending, and vice versa.

However, Brexit uncertainty has made the Bank reluctant to take any action for fear of destabilising the economy.

“There is little pressure for the [Bank] to adjust interest rates in either direction,” said Andrew Wishart, UK economist at Capital Economics, in response to today’s figures.

“There was still little sign of rising underlying inflationary pressures despite the continued strength of pay growth in May,” he said. Official figures yesterday showed real pay grew by 1.7 per cent in the year to May.

“A fall in energy price inflation and a reduction in Ofgem’s energy price cap in October should take 0.3 percentage points off inflation over the second half of the year,” Wishart said.

Brexit fog
Investec economist Victoria Clarke said: “For the Bank of England the close-to-target inflation readings helps the institution to maintain its wait and see position amidst continuing questions over Brexit’s likely course”.

“We maintain our view that the BoE is happy sitting tight throughout this year and through much of next year too,” she said.

The way Britain leaves the European Union will be at the forefront of the Bank’s mind. It has hinted it could slash rates to ease the economic turbulence of a no-deal exit.

“On-target inflation gives the Bank of England plenty of room to cut interest rates in the event of sharp slowdown,” said Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte. “The likelihood of the UK joining the global move to easier monetary policy is rising.”

But George Buckley, Nomura’s chief UK and euro area economist, said: “The response of inflation to a hard Brexit may be for a sizeable rise” due to higher tariffs, restrictions on incoming goods from Europe, and a lower pound.

Such a rise would ordinarily trigger a rate cut, but the Bank will likely wait and see exactly what happens to the economy immediately after a no-deal exit, should it occur.

Certain elements of today’s inflation figures, such as lower producer input and output prices, are “helpful for the Bank,” said Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the EY ITEM Club.

The data gives “decent scope” for the BoE “to adopt a flexible approach on interest rates should the economy continue its current struggles amid Brexit uncertainties,” he said.

By Harry Robertson

Source: City AM

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Inflation takes off on higher air fares and energy prices

UK inflation was higher in April, as the Easter getaway rush boosted air fares and the higher energy price cap was introduced.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 2.1% last month compared with 1.9% in March.

Economists had been expecting inflation to rise to 2.2%.

It is the first time in 2019 that the rate has risen above the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target.

Household bills were one of the main contributing factors to the higher rates, after increases to Ofgem’s energy price cap came into effect.

Electricity and gas prices rose 10.9% and 9.3% respectively between March and April.

Transport costs were also higher, especially for flights, due to the timing of Easter. Coming at the end of the month, the holiday helped to push air fares up by 26.4%.

But travellers also paid more for other forms of transport, with international rail, coach and sea fares all rising.

However the timing also contributed to a downward effect from hotels, where the cost of overnight stays rose by less than a year ago.

Meanwhile, drivers faced higher costs at the pumps as motor fuel prices rose.

ECONOMY Inflation
(PA Graphics)

Petrol prices rose by 3.8p on the month to 124.1p per litre. This was a bigger rise than the same time last year, when prices were up 1.5p.

Diesel was also pricier, climbing 2.3p to 133p per litre.

The largest downward contribution came from recreation and culture, especially in the volatile computer games category. Prices for games are calculated based on the bestseller charts, meaning they can vary depending on the number and popularity of new releases.

Prices in the games, toys and hobbies category were down 5.8% on the month, compared with a smaller decline of 1.6% last year.

(PA Graphics)
(PA Graphics)

Cigarettes and beer, especially cans of lager, also had lower prices. The wider alcohol and tobacco category was down 0.4%, despite a 2.1% uplift in the price of spirits.

The CPI, including owner-occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) – the ONS’s preferred measure of inflation – was 2% in April, up from 1.8% in March.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) was 3%, up from 2.4% in February.

Higher inflation would usually bring pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates – but these are far from normal times

Ben Brettell, Hargreaves Lansdown

Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the inflation rate had received a muted reaction from the markets, and may have little weight in the Bank of England’s decision on whether to raise interest rates.

“Higher inflation would usually bring pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates – but these are far from normal times,” he said.

“The MPC is rightly reluctant to tweak policy while Brexit hangs over the economy like the Sword of Damocles.”

Source: BT.com

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UK inflation rises in April by less than Bank of England expected

UK inflation rose last month by less than the Bank of England and investors had expected, but still hit its highest level this year, pushed up by a rise in energy bills.

Consumer prices rose at an annual rate of 2.1% in April after a 1.9% increase in March, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a rate of 2.2%, the same as the BoE’s forecast.

Sterling and government bonds were little changed by the data as core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, held steady at 1.8% for the third month in a row.

“In principle, this is another reason to think the Bank of England will keep rates on hold for the foreseeable future,” ING economist James Smith said.

But he added that a strong labour market meant an interest rate hike in November could not be ruled out.

A recent weakening of inflation, combined with the lowest unemployment rate in 44 years and rising wages, has taken the edge off the uncertainty about Brexit for many households whose spending drives Britain’s economy.

But Britain’s energy regulator raised a price cap on energy providers by 10% with effect from April, and all big six suppliers raised their standard prices by the same amount, which the BoE said would push inflation above target briefly.

Electricity and gas prices were the biggest driver of inflation last month, the ONS said. Computer game and package holiday prices helped to offset the impact of the higher bills.

The ONS figures also suggested less short-term pressure in the pipeline for consumer prices than expected.

Manufacturers’ costs for raw materials – many of them imported – were 3.8% higher than in April 2018, much less than the 4.5% rise predicted by the Reuters poll.

The ONS said house prices in March rose by an annual 1.4% across the United Kingdom as a whole compared with 1.0% in February, marking the first increase in house price inflation since September. Prices in London alone fell by 1.9 percent, a smaller drop than in February.

The ONS also revised down its estimate for Britain’s budget deficit in the last 2018/19 financial year that ended in March.

The headline measure of public sector net borrowing amounted to 23.5 billion pounds that year or 1.1% of gross domestic product, compared with the previous estimate of 24.7 billion pounds or 1.2% of GDP.

In April, the first year of the 2019/20 financial year, the deficit stood at 5.8 billion pounds, as expected by economists.

Reporting by Andy Bruce; Editing by Alison Williams

Source: UK Reuters

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UK inflation up, London house prices fall by most since 2009

Britain’s main inflation rate ticked up last month but stayed close to January’s two-year low, helping consumers maintain their spending power as wage growth also picked up, even though the timing of Brexit remained uncertain.

Wednesday’s official data also showed house prices rose at the weakest annual pace in 5 1/2 years in January, curtailed by the biggest drop in London prices since September 2009, just after the low point of the global financial crisis.

Consumer prices rose at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in February after a 1.8 percent increase in January, the Office for National Statistics said. A Reuters poll of economists had forecast an unchanged rate of inflation.

Economists said they expected inflation to rise above the Bank of England’s 2 percent target soon, especially as many household utility bills are due to increase in April.

“Inflation picked-up for the first time since August 2018, with rising prices across a range of items, including food and alcohol,” said Suren Thiru, an economist at the British Chambers of Commerce.

“Businesses also continue to report that the cost of imported raw materials is rising. As these high input costs filter through supply chains, they could increase the upward pressure on consumer prices in the short-term,” he added.

Still, British government bond futures rose slightly after the data showed core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, edged down, leaving the overall picture of domestic price pressures in Britain muted ahead of Brexit.

Weaker inflation, combined with rising wages and the lowest unemployment rate in 44 years, has taken the edge off the uncertainty about Brexit for many households, whose spending drives Britain’s economy.

Data due on Thursday are expected to show that retail sales grew an annual 3.3 percent last month, weaker than just before the referendum in 2016 to leave the European Union but above its average for much of the last decade.

Britain’s modest inflation is also helping the Bank of England as it holds off on raising interest rates while it waits for the outcome of Britain’s Brexit impasse.

Several policymakers at the central bank have said they want to see firm evidence domestic inflation pressure is building before they vote to raise rates.

The ONS said house prices in January rose by an annual 1.7 percent across the United Kingdom as a whole, the smallest increase since June 2013, when Britain was still struggling to shake off the effects of the global financial crisis.

Prices in London alone fell by 1.6 percent, marking 11 months where prices have not risen.

The ONS said prices in the capital were down 3.3 percent from their recent peak in June 2017, compared with an almost 18 percent peak-to-trough fall during the financial crisis.

By Andy Bruce, William Schomberg

Source: UK Reuters

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UK inflation falls again, leaving BoE under no pressure on rates

UK inflation hit its lowest in nearly two years in December as fuel prices fell, leaving the Bank of England under no pressure to carry on raising interest rates as uncertainty over Brexit dominates the economic outlook.

Consumer prices rose at an annual rate of 2.1 percent in December, slowing from 2.3 percent in November, the Office for National Statistics said, as a Reuters poll of economists had predicted. The rise was the smallest since January 2017.

Although inflation remained just above the Bank’s 2 percent target, it was likely to fall below that level soon and there was little immediate urgency for the BoE to move, economists said.

The central bank has sketched out a range of Brexit scenarios including a worst-case no-deal outcome in which sterling would plunge to parity against the dollar, inflation would exceed 6 percent and the economy contract by 8 percent.

On Tuesday, MPs voted against Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans by a crushing margin. BoE Governor Mark Carney said on Wednesday that sterling’s rise after the vote suggested investors felt the risk of a no-deal Brexit had diminished, or that the departure process would be extended.

May faces a vote of no confidence in her government moved by the opposition Labour Party on Wednesday that she is expected to win.

“Although we think that Brexit uncertainty will keep the Monetary Policy Committee on hold for the time being, we doubt the Bank will miss out on the global tightening cycle altogether,” Ruth Gregory, senior UK economist at Capital Economics, said.

The central bank has raised interest rates twice since late 2017 and has said it plans to carry on increasing borrowing costs gradually.

Wednesday’s inflation figures could be a relief for British consumers who have been pressured by inflation since the Brexit referendum in June 2016 which triggered a slump in sterling of more than 10 percent against the dollar and euro.

Inflation peaked at a five-year high of 3.1 percent in November 2017. It has fallen since then and wages have grown at their fastest in a decade.

But businesses have reported a downturn in consumer spending in recent months, and surveys show households are worried about the outlook for 2019.

Sterling and UK government bonds were little moved by Wednesday’s data which suggested less short-term pressure in the pipeline for consumer prices, with factory input costs rising at the weakest rate since June 2016.

The ONS also said house prices in November rose by an annual 2.8 percent nationwide compared with 2.7 percent in October. Prices in London alone fell 0.7 percent, the fifth month of decline — a run last seen during the financial crisis.

Source: UK Reuters

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UK inflation expectations hit five-year high – BoE

The British public’s expectations for inflation in a year’s time have risen to a five-year high but fewer people expect an interest rate hike over the next 12 months, a Bank of England survey showed on Friday.

The BoE said median expectations for inflation in a year’s time rose to 3.2 percent from 3.0 percent in August’s survey.

That was the highest since the survey published in November 2013.

Britain’s inflation rate hit a recent peak of 3.1 percent in November 2017, pushed up by the fall in the value of the pound after the Brexit vote in 2016.

The consumer price index has since fallen back to 2.4 percent but remains above the BoE’s target of 2 percent.

Expectations for inflation in two years’ time eased back to 2.8 percent from 2.9 percent in August.

Inflation in five years’ time was seen at 3.5 percent, compared with 3.6 percent three months earlier.

The survey also showed 53 percent of respondents expected an interest rate increase over the next 12 months, down from 58 percent in August.

The BoE has raised interest rates twice since November 2017 and expects to continue pushing them up gradually, assuming Britain’s departure from the European Union goes smoothly.

The BoE’s data was based on a survey conducted by polling company TNS between Nov. 2 and 6.

Source: UK Reuters