U.K. Pension Funds Weather Borrowing Cost Spike, Unlike 2022 Crisis
Higher U.K. borrowing costs this year, unlike the 2022 mini-budget crisis, have benefited pension funds due to higher funding ratios, lower leverage, improved governance, and a more measured yield increase; however, this reduced demand for new gilts presents challenges for the U.K. Debt Management O...
U.K. Pension Funds Weather Borrowing Cost Spike, Unlike 2022 Crisis
Higher U.K. borrowing costs this year, unlike the 2022 mini-budget crisis, have benefited pension funds due to higher funding ratios, lower leverage, improved governance, and a more measured yield increase; however, this reduced demand for new gilts presents challenges for the U.K. Debt Management O...
Progress
40% Bias Score
UK House Prices Surge, But Record Listings May Temper Growth
UK house asking prices saw a 1.7 percent jump (£5,992) in the month to January 11th, reaching £366,189 on average, the highest January increase since 2020; however, this is still below May 2024's record, and a record number of new properties on the market may slow future price growth.
UK House Prices Surge, But Record Listings May Temper Growth
UK house asking prices saw a 1.7 percent jump (£5,992) in the month to January 11th, reaching £366,189 on average, the highest January increase since 2020; however, this is still below May 2024's record, and a record number of new properties on the market may slow future price growth.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Weak UK Retail Sales Fuel Expectations of BOE Rate Cuts
Weak UK retail sales in December (-0.3% MoM), defying forecasts, add to economic concerns, fueling market expectations of over 75 basis points in Bank of England interest rate cuts in 2025 and complicating Finance Minister Rachel Reeves's economic agenda amid high bond yields and inflation.
Weak UK Retail Sales Fuel Expectations of BOE Rate Cuts
Weak UK retail sales in December (-0.3% MoM), defying forecasts, add to economic concerns, fueling market expectations of over 75 basis points in Bank of England interest rate cuts in 2025 and complicating Finance Minister Rachel Reeves's economic agenda amid high bond yields and inflation.
Progress
52% Bias Score
UK Chancellor Urges Regulators to Boost Growth After Disappointing GDP Figures
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves met with regulators on Thursday to discuss stimulating economic growth after November's disappointing 0.1 percent GDP increase, falling short of predictions and prompting concerns about the need for regulatory reform to address investment barriers and boost economic activ...
UK Chancellor Urges Regulators to Boost Growth After Disappointing GDP Figures
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves met with regulators on Thursday to discuss stimulating economic growth after November's disappointing 0.1 percent GDP increase, falling short of predictions and prompting concerns about the need for regulatory reform to address investment barriers and boost economic activ...
Progress
40% Bias Score
UK Economy Shows Slight Growth in November Amidst Stagnation Concerns
The UK economy grew by 0.1% in November, following a 0.1% drop in October, but this slower-than-expected growth raises concerns about stagnation despite a rise in services and construction, offset by falls in manufacturing and other sectors.
UK Economy Shows Slight Growth in November Amidst Stagnation Concerns
The UK economy grew by 0.1% in November, following a 0.1% drop in October, but this slower-than-expected growth raises concerns about stagnation despite a rise in services and construction, offset by falls in manufacturing and other sectors.
Progress
60% Bias Score
UK Budget's Impact on Employment: Conflicting Signals
The October budget raised UK employers' national insurance contributions to 15 percent from 13.8 percent, lowering the threshold to £5,000 from £9,100, resulting in conflicting signals on employment; while some surveys suggest job losses, Bank of England data shows businesses expect increased hiring...
UK Budget's Impact on Employment: Conflicting Signals
The October budget raised UK employers' national insurance contributions to 15 percent from 13.8 percent, lowering the threshold to £5,000 from £9,100, resulting in conflicting signals on employment; while some surveys suggest job losses, Bank of England data shows businesses expect increased hiring...
Progress
40% Bias Score
UK Pay Growth Rises, Adding Pressure on Bank of England
UK average weekly earnings increased by 5.6% in the three months to November, driven by strong private sector growth, putting pressure on the Bank of England to maintain interest rates amid concerns over inflation; unemployment rose to 4.4%.
UK Pay Growth Rises, Adding Pressure on Bank of England
UK average weekly earnings increased by 5.6% in the three months to November, driven by strong private sector growth, putting pressure on the Bank of England to maintain interest rates amid concerns over inflation; unemployment rose to 4.4%.
Progress
44% Bias Score
UK Housing Market Sees Record Seller Increase and Price Jump
Since Boxing Day, a record number of new sellers entered the UK housing market, resulting in a 1.7% average price increase to £366,189 and an 11% rise in sales agreed compared to the previous year, driven by falling interest rates, despite affordability concerns.
UK Housing Market Sees Record Seller Increase and Price Jump
Since Boxing Day, a record number of new sellers entered the UK housing market, resulting in a 1.7% average price increase to £366,189 and an 11% rise in sales agreed compared to the previous year, driven by falling interest rates, despite affordability concerns.
Progress
36% Bias Score
European Markets Rise Despite Mixed Economic Data
European markets opened higher on Friday, following strong Wednesday gains and a 0.1% rise in UK GDP in November, despite a 0.3% fall in December retail sales and ended merger talks between Glencore and Rio Tinto; rising Eurozone inflation adds complexity.
European Markets Rise Despite Mixed Economic Data
European markets opened higher on Friday, following strong Wednesday gains and a 0.1% rise in UK GDP in November, despite a 0.3% fall in December retail sales and ended merger talks between Glencore and Rio Tinto; rising Eurozone inflation adds complexity.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Bank of England Poised for February Rate Cut Amid Weak Growth and Inflation
Following weaker inflation (2.5 percent in December) and slow economic growth (0.1 percent in November), the Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates in February 2025, a move supported by economists who point to the need to stimulate the economy.
Bank of England Poised for February Rate Cut Amid Weak Growth and Inflation
Following weaker inflation (2.5 percent in December) and slow economic growth (0.1 percent in November), the Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates in February 2025, a move supported by economists who point to the need to stimulate the economy.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Oxford Economics Predicts Sharp Drop in UK Interest Rates by 2027
Oxford Economics forecasts UK interest rates to fall to 2.5% by late 2027, contrasting sharply with the 3.75% market consensus, due to anticipated demographic impacts and a reassessment of inflation; this could significantly lower mortgage rates eventually, although lenders' responses remain uncerta...
Oxford Economics Predicts Sharp Drop in UK Interest Rates by 2027
Oxford Economics forecasts UK interest rates to fall to 2.5% by late 2027, contrasting sharply with the 3.75% market consensus, due to anticipated demographic impacts and a reassessment of inflation; this could significantly lower mortgage rates eventually, although lenders' responses remain uncerta...
Progress
36% Bias Score
UK Borrowing Costs Hit 25-Year High
UK long-term borrowing costs hit a 25-year high of 5.25% on Tuesday, exceeding even the 2022 mini-budget levels, due to investor concerns about stagflation and the Bank of England's ability to cut interest rates, posing a challenge to the government's fiscal plans.
UK Borrowing Costs Hit 25-Year High
UK long-term borrowing costs hit a 25-year high of 5.25% on Tuesday, exceeding even the 2022 mini-budget levels, due to investor concerns about stagflation and the Bank of England's ability to cut interest rates, posing a challenge to the government's fiscal plans.
Progress
52% Bias Score