BoE interest rate decision: MPC stands ready to respond to changes in the economic outlook

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

Following its monetary policy decisions, the Bank of England published the "Bank of England Inflation Report November 2017," providing the key headlines found below.

The MPC’s outlook for inflation and activity in the November Inflation Report is broadly similar to its projections in August.

Consumption growth remains sluggish in the near term before rising, in line with household incomes.

CPI inflation rose to 3.0% in September. The MPC still expects inflation to peak above 3.0% in October, as the past depreciation of sterling and recent increases in energy prices continue to pass through to consumer prices.

The decision to leave the European Union is having a noticeable impact on the economic outlook.

The steady erosion of slack has reduced the degree to which it is appropriate for the MPC to accommodate an extended period of inflation above the target.

Monetary policy continues to provide significant support to jobs and activity in the current exceptional circumstances.

All members agree that any future increases in Bank Rate would be expected to be at a gradual pace and to a limited extent.

There remain considerable risks to the outlook, which include the response of households, businesses and financial markets to developments related to the process of EU withdrawal.

The MPC will respond to developments as they occur insofar as they affect the behaviour of households and businesses, and the outlook for inflation.

Key notes

GBP/USD tumbles to 1.3100 post-BoE.

The Sterling is accelerating the daily downside today, forcing GBP/USD to drop to the area of weekly lows in the 1.3100 neighbourhood.

EUR/GBP surges to 0.89 handle post-BoE announcement.

The EUR/GBP cross extended its recovery move and surged to fresh weekly tops, around the 0.8900 handle following the highly anticipated BoE decision.

About Mark Carney

Mark Carney is Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee, Financial Policy Committee and the Board of the Prudential Regulation Authority. His appointment as Governor was approved by Her Majesty the Queen on 26 November 2012. The Governor joined the Bank on 1 July 2013.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

GBP/USD surges to multi-day peaks past 1.3250

GBP/USD leaves behind Friday’s small pullback and advances past 1.3250 level, or five-day highs, on Monday. Cable’s upside follows extra losses in the Greenback, while traders continue to assess the geopolitical front and upcoming key events.

EUR/USD softens to near 1.1400 as ECB tightening bets fade

The EUR/USD pair trades with mild losses around 1.1415 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The Euro softens against the US Dollar as traders reduce their bets on the European Central Bank rate hikes this year.

Gold crashes with Japanese Yen as stops likely triggered

Gold is down nearly 1.50% so far in Tuesday’s Asian trading, sitting at a fresh seven-month low as the key $3,950 psychological barrier gave way amid a renewed wave of selling.

Bitcoin stalls at $60K as buyer conviction fades, Strategy authorizes BTC sales

Bitcoin is trading around the $60,000 level on Monday after a sharp decline last week. With the top crypto struggling to recover, analysts suggest the market remains firmly in defensive territory as investors await stronger signs of demand.

Just like Fed, is BoJ’s independence under threat?

When talking about central bank independence, most of the focus has been on Donald Trump’s pressure on the Federal Reserve. But a similar story, a quieter one for now, seems to be happening on the other side of the Pacific: Japan’s government may be testing the Bank of Japan’s independence.

Kevin Warsh isn't expected to say much in Sintra: That's exactly why markets will listen

Financial markets could find an important catalyst in the enchanting, fairytale-like landscape of Sintra this week. The ECB Forum will, as it does every year, gather the crème de la crème of central banks. The new boss at the Fed, who has clearly said that the Fed should stop explaining everything, will need to talk – and traders should listen.