Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Facing Uncertainty

Inflation is still running at more than three times the 2% Bank of England target, interest rates are biting, and consumer confidence has fallen, perhaps in response to the emergence of new geopolitical turmoil. While there is optimism that inflation will decline in the months ahead, the Bank of England is watching closely for signs of domestically generated price pressures. And like the rest of us they nervously follow headlines from the Middle East.

Continue reading

Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Long and variable lags

A disappointing week for UK economic data. Underlying momentum in GDP growth is modest, firm confidence about growth is diminishing, and high-frequency data show sluggish activity. While rates are biting for households and the housing market. Are we seeing those famous ‘long and variable lags’ in monetary policy affecting economic activity at work?


Continue reading

Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Overdone it?

Financial markets globally are taking in the “higher for longer” rhetoric. But non-market sentiment on the subject, be it economists or firm owners themselves, remain diverged. Firms’ expectations of prices and wage growth are coming down steadily. Further, the impact of already-announced rate hikes is just starting to be felt. Should it become apparent that the Bank of England has done too much, rate cuts may be upon us sooner than we expect.

Continue reading

Solid fall in business activity in September

Today sees the release of September data from the Ulster Bank Northern Ireland PMI®. The latest report – indicated that the private sector remained in a downturn as output and new orders fell again. More positively, employment continued to increase, contrasting with the UK-wide trend. Input costs and output prices continued to rise, but at rates that were much weaker than seen over the past three years.

Continue reading

Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Paltry prospects

Last week’s upbeat revisions to the UK’s economic performance in the first half of the year, whilst encouraging, brings little joy, as the impact of high interest rates on the economy continues to build. With the cost of credit rising, this is the best time for many households to rebuild their depleted savings. Mix in some election uncertainty and businesses too will likely postpone their investment decisions. All combined, it’ll keep growth subdued. 

Continue reading

Ulster Economix Episode 31 | Out of office – September 2023

The podcast that keeps you up to date with what is happening economy-wise in Northern Ireland.  Telling you what you need to know but not necessarily what you want to hear. It is better to be prepared for the economic environment we are operating in and not the world we would like to be in.

Featuring Anastasia Desmond, Assistant Economist at Ulster University Economic Policy Centre

Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Anchored

Policy tightening across the globe is nearing its end. The Bank of England (BoE) and Federal Reserve (Fed) paused their respective rates hiking cycles last week, while the ECB signalled a final hike the week prior. At home, the vote was rather close, 5-4, and the MPC’s guidance suggested they are maintaining optionality about future hikes. Globally, the prolonged monetary tightening phase has constrained the growth outlook for this year and next.

Continue reading

Chief Economist’s Weekly Briefing – Trickier trade-off

So far the Bank of England’s rate hiking cycle had been made somewhat easy by the UK’s strong economic performance. But MPC members perhaps shifted in their chairs as last week’s data releases told a story of fading economic momentum and a cooling labour market. However, wage pressures remain intact, and inflation expectations have edged up. Oil’s been on an upward march of late, feeding higher prices at the pump: petrol’s at its highest level since last December. Lots to ponder ahead of Thursday’s rate decision.

Continue reading