Bank of England holds interest rates amid intensifying inflation risks
As widely anticipated, the Bank of England (BoE) decided to keep its benchmark rate at a 2-year low of 4.25% on Thursday.
This comes as fears grow that the conflict between Israel and Iran will escalate and that US tariffs will further fuel inflation.
Six out of the nine-member panel of the monetary policy committee voted to hold, while three of them saw fit to cut.
The bank lowered its rate to 4.25% in May, the fourth cut after an aggressive tightening period in 2022-2023. More cuts are still expected in the coming months by the market.
The central bank's benchmark interest rate determines how banks change their rates on savings and loans.
UK inflation, the primary figure driving the monetary policy committee's decisions, came in at 3.4% on Wednesday, far above the BoE's 2% target. Price increases, however, slowed slightly compared to the annual price change measured in April, which stood at 3.5%.
The prevailing view at the bank was that inflation would remain elevated over the coming months but start to slow towards next year.
But an uptick in oil prices, due to the current geopolitical crisis between Israel and Iran, could change this, as energy prices translate into the costs of producing and transporting all other goods.
'The risk to energy prices has clearly intensified and moved up the agenda given developments in the Middle East,' Sandra Horsfield, an economist for Investec, told AP.
Uncertainty over the level of tariffs US President Donald Trump will impose around the world is also clouding the outlook for prices across the globe.
'We are still awaiting the full impact of Donald Trump's tariffs to show up in the prices of goods. We are approaching the end of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, and what happens from there is really anyone's guess,' Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter said.
She added that even with the US-UK trade deal, the raft of tariffs on other nations would likely be felt in some form in the UK too. This will especially be the case if the UK's biggest trading partner Europe leaves the table with no agreement.
While setting their focus on inflationary risks, the BoE also need to consider that growth in the UK economy is slow and could benefit from lower interest rates. In April, economic output sank by 0.3%, due to falling exports to the US and higher costs for businesses, including a tax raise.
"The expectation is the UK economy will stagnate again in the second half, making the need for rate cuts more prominent," James said. "But with risks on the global stage not only uncertain but also substantial, the mantra of rates being 'higher for longer' will continue.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2 Rallying TSX Stocks You'll Wish You Bought Sooner
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada We've all been there – you check a stock you were eyeing, and boom, it's already up 40% or 50% since you first thought about buying it. That sting of 'I should've bought it' hits hard. The good news is, most growth stories aren't over with just one rally. In fact, some TSX stocks that have surged recently still show strong momentum, supported by their improving fundamentals. In this article, let's look at two Canadian stocks that have been rallying, and why it still might not be too late to buy them for the long term. G Mining Ventures (TSX:GMIN) has seen a massive move lately but still has long-term potential written all over it. This gold miner has been up more than 117% in the last year and trades at $18.72 per share with a market cap of about $4.2 billion. G Mining is developing precious metals projects in Brazil and Guyana, anchored by its producing Tocantinzinho mine and the advancing Oko West project. In the March quarter, G Mining produced over 35,500 ounces of gold at an impressive all-in sustaining cost of US$960 per ounce. Despite some seasonal rain impacting its mining activity, the company still delivered strong free cash flow of US$36 million and net profit of US$24.4 million. Notably, its adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) hit US$68.6 million last quarter, showing how well its ramp-up is going. With its production expected to increase through the second half of 2025 as higher-grade ore becomes available, G Mining seems well on track to meet its annual guidance of up to 200,000 ounces. In addition, the company recently released a positive feasibility study for its Oko West project, suggesting an after-tax value of US$2.2 billion and a mine life of over 12 years. For long-term investors seeking exposure to a fast-growing gold producer with exploration upside and strong project economics, G Mining Ventures could be a compelling stock to consider. Another TSX stock that's been gaining solid momentum in 2025 is Aritzia (TSX:ATZ). This company's growth story is hard to ignore right now. The Vancouver-based apparel retailer is known for its portfolio of exclusive fashion brands and strong e-commerce platform. Aritzia stock has surged nearly 79% over the past year and currently trades at $67.44 per share with a market cap of $7.7 billion. In its most recent quarter (ended in February 2025), Aritzia delivered 31.3% YoY (year-over-year) sales growth with the help of strong U.S. demand and e-commerce sales. For the quarter, its adjusted earnings also shot up 156% YoY, and its adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 18% from 10.6%. Notably, the company opened 12 new boutiques in its fiscal year 2025 (ended in February), including a flagship on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and it's not slowing down. With its net revenue expected to grow up to 19% in fiscal 2026, Aritzia is leaning into its growth drivers, even as U.S. tariffs add some complexity. For investors looking beyond the short-term market noise, this fashion stock has all the right ingredients for solid upside. The post 2 Rallying TSX Stocks You'll Wish You Bought Sooner appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar has positions in Aritzia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Aritzia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to Build a $7,000 TFSA Position That Grows Year After Year
Written by Puja Tayal at The Motley Fool Canada Your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) can be your go-to account for wealth creation as it allows your investment to grow tax-free, and you can even withdraw any amount at any time tax-free. No doubt, you have heard stories of investors who made millions by investing $10,000 in a company. Imagine that million-dollar investment being tax-free. If only you had invested $10,000 in Apple, Nvidia, or Constellation Software in 2005, you would be a multi-millionaire. There is no point in reminiscing about the lost opportunities of the past because that investment income would be taxable. The TFSA was introduced in 2009. From today's standpoint, ask yourself what the world will look like 20 years from now. The above three stocks that made their shareholders millionaires changed the way we work, communicate, and operate. Artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving cars, and digitization trends are shaping the future. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a no-brainer stock to buy and hold even at its current price of over US$144. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) are shaping the AI revolution. It is also at the forefront of the self-driving car revolution. No matter which generative AI rules the world – Chat GPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek – they are powered by Nvidia GPUs. Hence, Nvidia will thrive in the AI race. There are concerns about a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending. That is the nature of the hardware industry. Just like personal computers, there are upgrade and refresh cycles, when Nvidia sees strong enterprise orders. While the first cycle of AI infrastructure might be over, upgrades will follow, and demand will increase with each upgrade. Beyond the data centre, AI at the edge is the next big growth opportunity Nvidia is working on. Using AI to drive cars, automate industries, manage traffic, and create smart cities could drive the demand for Nvidia GPUs even more than data centres. You could consider investing $4,000 in Nvidia and see your money grow as technology evolves. The next growth stock is (TSXV:TOI), a spin-off of Constellation Software. Focused on the European market, has been acquiring vertical-specific software companies with strong and recurring cash flow from maintenance services. The trend of digitization and AI will make software an integral part of running any system. Mission-critical software will be indispensable and become the utility of the future. is a holding company of such mission-critical software companies. Instead of transferring the cash flow to shareholders, it is using that cash to buy more such companies. The new acquisitions add value to the company and increase the share price. Some acquisitions of are value additions, and some are overpriced. However, the consolidated returns are positive over time. In 2021, the company made losses as the tech sector was overvalued, but the effect of compounding has started kicking in. In a downturn, it acquires companies at attractive prices and increases returns. TOI is a stock to buy at the dip and hold for the long term for better returns. Compounding works best when given time. Canada is an export-led economy. Oil and minerals are commodities and may not generate long-term wealth, but a tech stock that makes logistics and supply chain management efficient can. Descartes Systems (TSX:DSG) has a wide range of customers across verticals that use its solutions – customs and compliance, global trade intelligence, inventory management, and route planning. Descartes makes logistics efficient for e-commerce, airlines, oil and gas, and many other companies. Now is a good time to buy Descartes stock as it dipped 15% in June over concerns of tariff uncertainty delaying decisions and slowing trading activity. As the tariff situation eases, trade will pick up and drive Descartes's stock upwards. Technology, the geopolitical situation, and globalization will further complicate trade, fueling demand for Descartes. The stock is poised to grow as its solutions remain relevant to trade complexities. Diversifying your TFSA growth portfolio across countries can help you mitigate country-specific risk. The post How to Build a $7,000 TFSA Position That Grows Year After Year appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Puja Tayal has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Constellation Software, Descartes Systems Group, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Reasons to Buy CNQ Stock Like There's No Tomorrow
Written by Adam Othman at The Motley Fool Canada Energy stocks have long been a favourite investment for many Canadian investors due to the industry's resilience in the sector. One of my top picks is Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ), which is up by almost 33% from its 52-week low right now. If you've been wondering where you can invest in the stock market right now, CNQ stock might be a good investment to consider, and here's why. Canadian Natural Resources is a $97.19 billion market capitalization company headquartered in Calgary. It is one of Canada's largest oil and natural gas producers, with lucrative operations in Offshore Africa and the North Sea. As of this writing, CNQ stock trades for $46.43 per share, up by almost 300% in the last five years. Like other oil and natural gas producers, CNQ stock felt the effects of lower oil prices, but more recently, it attributed the share price declines it faced. The tariff-induced sell-off saw its shares dip to around $35 per share, alongside Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices going as low as US$57 per barrel. As of this writing, WTI crude stands at US$72.80 per barrel. Still lower than the US$80 mark from last year, the recovery in oil prices has improved the situation for CNQ stock and its peers in the energy sector. The recent improvement in oil prices means better margins for CNQ stock, translating to a spike in share prices. Geopolitics has far-reaching consequences, and investors in the energy sector definitely feel it. Rising tensions between Iran and Israel, the trade war between the U.S. and China, and the tariff-fueled trade issues between the U.S. and Canada have all had a say in the situation. The latest oil price hike is due to the Iran-Israel conflict, which might lead to Iran closing off the Strait of Hormuz. This is a region through which up to 30% of the global oil supply must travel to reach international customers. An escalation of conflicts in the region could send oil prices soaring past US$80 per barrel, and increase demand for Canadian oil, which might be more readily available. The performance of Canadian Natural Resources on the stock market might have suffered due to factors out of its control, but it is doing well as a business. The first quarter of fiscal 2025 saw it report record oil and natural gas production, boosted by production from new assets from its acquisition of Canadian assets held by Chevron late in 2024. Its improving financial performance can also be attributed in part to its efficient operations. The breakeven point for CNQ stock is a US$45 price per barrel. With WTI climbing, its margins are increasing considerably. I have no doubt there will be more market volatility in the near term due to various geopolitical factors. However, CNQ stock is well-capitalized enough to weather the storm and adjust to any changing market conditions, especially those that favour demand for Canadian-produced oil. I think it might be worth adding to your self-directed investment portfolio if you can withstand short-term volatility. The post 3 Reasons to Buy CNQ Stock Like There's No Tomorrow appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian Natural Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025
