BoE raises rates by 25bp, points out risks from wage growth

by | Aug 3, 2023

(Sharecast News) – The Bank of England raised official short-term interest rates by 25 basis points and noted that some of the risks from more persistent inflationary pressures may have begun to crystallise.
“The Committee continues to judge that risks around the modal inflation forecast are skewed to the upside, albeit by less than in May, reflecting the possibility that the second-round effects of external cost shocks on inflation in wages and domestic prices take longer to unwind than they did to emerge,” rate-setters said in their policy statement.

Bank Rate was hiked by 25bp to 5.25% with six of the Monetary Policy Committee’s members voting for the increase, two arguing for 50bp and one for no change.

Economists had been divided as to whether the BoE would raise rates by 25 or 50 basis points.

It also said that its new economic forecasts were premised on a market-implied path for interest rates to a peak of just over 6% and for an average rate of just under 5.5% over the next three months.

At the time of its May projections the average implied level of Bank Rate stood at 4.0%.

Sterling had also appreciated by 4% since May.

Twelve-month CPI was running below its forecast at the May previous meeting, the BoE added, but the downside in services prices had been smaller than in goods and CPI inflation was in line with the May projections.

Earnings growth meanwhile was seen declining from 7.7% over the three months to May to around 6% by year end, but at present was “materially” above the May projections.

“If there were to be evidence of more persistent pressures, then further tightening in monetary policy would be required,” Bank said.

“The MPC will ensure that Bank Rate is sufficiently restrictive for sufficiently long to return inflation to the 2% target sustainably in the medium term, in line with its remit.”

Related articles

Latest Articles

Redde Northgate says demand still outstripping supply in UK, Ireland

Cussons holds guidance despite fall in FY profits

(Sharecast News) - Personal care consumer goods maker PZ Cussons on Tuesday held annual guidance despite a fall in full-year profits as cost inflation and issues at its Nigerian operation continued to weigh. The maker of Imperial Leather soap said pre-tax profit fell...

British Land upbeat as leasing activity picks up in Q2

Volumes, pricing drive 20% profit rise at Smiths

(Sharecast News) - Engineering group Smiths hailed a 20% rise in annual operating profit, driven by volume growth and higher prices which offset the impact of inflation. The company on Monday said profit for the year to July 31 came in at £501m as revenue jumped 18.3%...

Sector movers: Personal Goods, Big Tobacco pace losses

Sector movers: Personal Goods, Big Tobacco pace losses

(Sharecast News) - Personal Goods was at the bottom of the pile at the start of the week as concerns around China's property sector continued to nag investors. Hence the hefty decline in luxury goods retailers including Burberry. On Sunday, Chinese property developer...

Join our mailing list

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular updates!

No Fields Found.
x