UK Markets Await Central Bank Decisions Amid Holiday Lull



Economic News
UK Markets Await Central Bank Decisions Amid Holiday Lull

On May 5, the UK stock market was closed due to a holiday. On Monday, the pound rose against the weakening US dollar. With the UK public holiday causing a lull in market news, all eyes are on the upcoming Bank of England's monetary policy decision later this week. There are no major domestic events before Thursday's Bank of England meeting.

The market generally expects the Bank of England to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points to 4.25%. However, the wording of its policy statement is highly anticipated. Some investors believe that as Trump's tariffs impact global growth, the central bank needs to accelerate the pace of gradual interest rate cuts. Samar Hamoud, a foreign exchange strategist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), pointed out that they expect the Bank of England to downgrade its GDP forecast due to the trade war. But given that inflation is still high, it may maintain a gradual interest rate cut path. She warned that if the statement removes the word "gradual", the market may price in more interest rate cut expectations, pushing the pound - dollar exchange rate down to the 1.3127 support level. Currently, the market expects that in addition to the Thursday action, the Bank of England will cut interest rates at least two more times this year (a total of 50 basis points), and the probability of a third rate cut is high.

 

The Federal Reserve will also announce its interest rate decision this week. After the strong March non - farm payrolls data, the market generally expects it to hold steady on Wednesday.
Latest Stories
Economic News1 minute readBritain’s construction sector showed mixed signals in June, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edging up to 48.8—its highest level in six months—yet still lingering below the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction. A stark divide emerged within the industry:
Economic News1 minute readAustralia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 inched up 0.02% to 8,590.7 on Tuesday, oscillating narrowly after the Reserve Bank’s surprise decision to hold rates steady triggered intraday dips. The index briefly turned negative in early trading but recovered modestly by close.
Social News1 minute readIn the Arabian Peninsula, where six out of seven nations boast a per capita gross national product exceeding $20,000—with Qatar soaring to $80,000—Yemen stands as a tragic outlier. By 2024, its per capita GDP plummeted to a meager $486. What led to such a vast economic chasm within the same region? The answer lies in Yemen's complex and troubled present.
Social News2 minute readMexican New Year celebrations blend vibrant symbolism with culinary heritage, creating a sensory experience of color, flavor, and renewal. Homes across the country transform into kaleidoscopic spaces, each hue carrying intentional meaning: red for love, yellow for career prosperity, and green for financial abundance. This decorative ritual, rooted in indigenous and Spanish traditions, turns living spaces into visual prayers for the year ahead.
Social News1 minute readIn the run-up to Christmas 1995, a Swedish woman lost her wedding ring while cooking. Despite searching everywhere, she couldn’t find it. Sixteen years later, in 2012, she pulled a carrot from her garden and discovered the ring stuck on it.
Industry News1 minute readReuters, citing sources and documents, reports that dozens of global health and water supply infrastructure projects have been halted after the U.S. terminated related aid. The news agency verified 21 stalled projects across 16 countries.
Life News1 minute readGENEVA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Amid the lush pastures of the Alpine foothills, Switzerland's time-honored pastoral tradition has nurtured a world-renowned cheese culture, with Fondue standing as its most iconic treasure. This beloved dish, which perfectly blends melted cheese with bread, is not only a staple on Swiss tables but also carries the memory of unity in this multi-ethnic nation.