Money Minute Thursday 19 December: UK interest rates and American jobs
Today's Money Minute looks to the Bank of England's final interest-rate decision of the year, and America's employment figures.
Later today we get the Bank of England's final interest rate decision of the year.
It's hard to see the Bank doing anything so soon after the election.On the one hand, two members voted for a rate cut from 0.75% to 0.5% last month.On the other hand, now that we have much more clarity over which Brexit and economic policies the government will follow, the Bank will probably wait to see how the economic data evolves over the next few months.
Meanwhile over in the US we get the latest jobless claims figures.This shows how many people joined the dole queue in America last week.The most recent release showed a spike in jobless claims.This has been blamed on Thanksgiving, which is often disruptive to these figures.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
However, if unemployment is going to start to rise, it will show up here first.That's why markets will be paying close attention, to see if last week really was an anomaly, or a sign of a potential trend change.
-
‘Why I have ditched my Help to Buy ISA for cash savings and the stock market’Without the 25% bonus, my Help to Buy ISA is effectively redundant, says MoneyWeek writer Sam Walker.
-
Is your inheritance tax allowance cut if you sell to downsize or sell your home to pay for care?Downsizing relief is a little-known benefit that could save your loved ones tens of thousands of pounds in inheritance tax after you’ve died.
