The rise in CPI to recent highs of 2.5% in June left many observers warning of persistent inflationary pressure. Nevertheless, the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, cautioned against overreacting to a ‘temporary’ jump in inflation. CPI figures from July seem to have justified his advice, with the headline year on year inflation rate falling to the government’s target of 2%. Despite this, the data strongly suggests that it is too early to claim victory.
Chart of the Week
Investors have flocked to those sectors which they believe will benefit from lasting post-pandemic trends, and avoided those that have proven less resilient – with Information Technology up 29% at one extreme, and Energy down 41% at the other.
COVID 19: Permanent Changes to Consumer Habits?
Our work, leisure and shopping habits as well as interpersonal relationships have all been subject to seismic shifts in a matter of months. Indeed, what consumers value has changed, so as we enter the inevitably severe economic downturn, retail businesses will have to navigate this transformed
Exiting the Lockdown: The Range of Impact on GVA by Sector
It is imperative that the public are informed in a cogent, digestible and evidence-based manner on how best to limit new infections as the economy begins to get back on track. In the absence of clear, authoritative information that
Historical Public Sector Net Borrowing: Post-Covid 19 Forecast
Despite the unprecedented and, as yet, incalculable, cost of government measures, the OBR have stated that ‘we can be confident that the cost of inaction would ultimately have been much higher.’.
COVID 19: The Fate of Airlines
On Wednesday the US Senate passed the Coronavirus Stimulus bill, with little time for scrutiny. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the scale and urgency of the health, social and economic crisis gripping the United States. Importantly for the current administration, it appears to be unprecedented yet decisive action, the kind of presidential behaviour needed if Trump is to win a second term in office.