Free Trial

UK Inflation Data Due at 7:00GMT

UK DATA
  • Inflation is due to be released at 7:00GMT and is expected to continue to normalise across the major categories in February (albeit with some offsetting positive base effects from energy prices relative to those seen in January).
  • Analysts are generally split between both headline and services inflation printing in line with the BOE’s February MPR forecast or seeing a repeat of the 0.1ppt downside surprise to the Bank’s forecast seen last month.
  • The Bank's forecasts saw headline CPI at 3.5%Y/Y (MNI median 3.47%Y/Y, Bbg consensus 3.5%Y/Y) and services CPI at 6.1%Y/Y (MNI median and Bbg consensus at 6.0%Y/Y). However, note that the headline CPI median's almost rounds down while the services CPI almost rounds up.
  • We don’t think that the majority of the MPC will need to see inflation undershoot the February MPR forecasts in order to begin cutting rates. The MNI Markets team continues to put more weight on the wage data, and do not think a quorum can be achieved to vote for the first cut until it has become more evident that Q1 and April wage data are showing more meaningful signs of slowing.
  • We think that a higher-than-expected inflation print (particularly for services CPI) would likely have a greater impact on delaying any possible BOE cuts than a lower-than-expected print could accelerate cuts. We therefore see asymmetry in potential market reactions – with a higher-than-expected print likely to have a larger market impact than a lower-than-expected print in our view.
For the full MNI UK Inflation Preview document including summaries of 18 sellside views click here.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.