Pepperstone logo
Pepperstone logo
  • English
  • 中文版
  • Ways to trade

    Pricing

    Trading accounts

    Pro

    Premium clients

    Refer a friend

    Active trader program

    Trading hours

    24-hour trading

    Maintenance schedule

  • Trading platforms

    Trading platforms

    TradingView

    Pepperstone platform

    MetaTrader 5

    MetaTrader 4

    cTrader

    Integrations

    Trading tools

  • Markets

    Markets to trade

    Forex

    Shares

    ETFs

    Indices

    Commodities

    Currency Indices

    Cryptocurrencies

    Dividends for index CFDs

    Dividends for share CFDs

    CFD forwards

  • Market analysis

    Market news

    Navigating Markets

    The Daily Fix

    Meet the analysts

  • Learn to trade

    Trading guides

    CFD trading

    Forex trading

    Commodity trading

    Stock trading

    Crypto trading

    Bitcoin trading

    Technical analysis

    Candlestick patterns

    Day trading

    Scalping trading

    Upcoming IPOs

    Gold trading

    Oil trading

    Webinars

  • Pepperstone Pro

  • Partners

  • About us

  • Help and support

  • English
  • 中文版
  • Launch webtrader

  • Ways to trade

  • Trading platforms

  • Markets

  • Market analysis

  • Learn to trade

  • Pepperstone Pro

  • Partners

  • About us

  • Help and support

GBP

Trading The May BoE Decision: More Hikes To Come From The Old Lady

5 May 2023
Share
After a dovish shift from the FOMC, and hawkish tone from the ECB, last week, traders now turn their attention to Threadneedle Street, and the Bank of England’s upcoming policy announcement, as the ‘Old Lady’ continues to grapple with persistently high inflation, and rather lacklustre economic momentum.

Against this backdrop, we expect the BoE to announce another 25bps hike on Thursday, the second straight increase of such magnitude, and the 12th consecutive rate increase since the tightening cycle began in December 2021. Such a move, to which markets assign approximately an 80% chance, would bring Bank Rate to its highest level since Autumn 2008.

Preview

Although another rate hike seems guaranteed, it is unlikely that the MPC will vote unanimously for such a move. Dovish external members Tenreyro (who leaves the Committee at the end of June), and Dhingra are again likely to vote for rates to remain on hold, though the present inflationary backdrop is unlikely to entice any further policymakers into a dovish dissent.

Said inflationary backdrop, with headline CPI having printed north of 10% for seven consecutive months, is also likely to see the MPC retain its tightening bias in the statement, again pledging to “adjust Bank Rate as necessary” to ensure a return to the 2% inflation aim. While the MPC are unlikely to pre-commit to further rate moves, another 25bps increase in June seems likely, with markets pricing a 3-in-4 chance of an additional hike in a month’s time, pricing a terminal rate just shy of 5%. Any explicit pushback on this pricing seems unlikely at this juncture.

Preview

Of course, with the May BoE decision being a ‘Super Thursday’ the MPC will also unveil their latest economic forecasts, with Governor Bailey also set to host a post-decision press conference.

In terms of the economic forecasts, the MPC are once more likely to point to headline CPI falling below 2% YoY by the end of the forecast horizon; however, with said horizon stretching until mid-2026, any near-term reprieve from the cost of living crunch is likely to be in short supply. Nevertheless, a significant degree of this decline in headline inflation will be largely mechanical, owing to a sizeable fall in energy prices after Ofgem’s new price cap took effect in April, and as the base effects from last year increasingly distort the data.

Of more concern should be the persistently high nature of core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy components, and shows little sign of rolling over significantly any time soon.

Preview

As for growth, the BoE are likely to upgrade their expectations for the UK economy, owing to the aforementioned decline in wholesale natural gas prices, but also as a result of the loosening in fiscal policy announced in the Spring Budget.

Although first quarter GDP is not due until the morning after the BoE announcement, the MPC will likely be in possession of the figures when making their policy deliberations. In any case, recent PMI figures reinforce the case for optimism, with the composite gauge (measuring output across the economy) pointing to the fastest pace of expansion in a year last month. Consequently, the MPC’s prior expectation that the UK would slip into recession this year is likely to be scrapped.

Preview

Unemployment, meanwhile, is once more likely to be expected to rise over the forecast period, with little if any revision to the prior call of a rise to 5.3% by the end of the horizon expected. The surprising rise in joblessness to 3.8% in the three months to February may be of some concern, though the bigger worry in terms of the labour market stems from earnings growth, which remains just shy of 7% YoY, a level clearly incompatible with a return to the MPC’s 2% price aim.

Financial stability is also a theme likely to crop up, especially at the press conference, in light of a resurgence in market concerns over US regional banks in particular. The BoE, in line with other G10 central banks, have made a distinct split between their monetary policy and financial stability functions, which is likely to be maintained. Furthermore, with present issues seemingly limited to smaller US institutions, and UK banks seemingly in little stress, an acknowledgement that the Bank are attune to global developments on this front, and that the UK banking sector remains resilient, is likely as far as Governor Bailey’s comments will go here.

Turning to the markets, cable has enjoyed a solid run of late, printing a series of higher highs and higher lows, while also at long last breaking convincingly to the upside of the 7 big figure range seen since last November. To the upside, the bulls will likely target 1.2675, with momentum likely to continue in this direction unless price makes a closing break back below the 1.25 handle.

Preview

As for equities, the FTSE 100 has been trading rather soft of late, in line with the broader deterioration seen in risk assets and the pressure faced by global equity markets. A break below the cluster of moving averages currently providing support could entice further bears into the fray, targeting a move towards the pre-covid highs at 7,625.

Preview

Related articles

Interest rates markets betting on a Fed pivot – rate cuts incoming?

Interest rates markets betting on a Fed pivot – rate cuts incoming?

FOMC

The material provided here has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.

Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.

Other sites

  • The Trade Off
  • Partners
  • Group
  • Careers

Ways to trade

  • Pricing
  • Trading accounts
  • Pro
  • Premium Clients
  • Active Trader program
  • Refer a friend
  • Trading hours

Platforms

  • Trading Platforms
  • Trading tools

Markets & Symbols

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • ETFs
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Currency indices
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • CFD Forwards

Analysis

  • Navigating Markets
  • The Daily Fix
  • Pepperstone Pulse
  • Meet the analysts

Learn to Trade

  • Trading Guides
  • Videos
  • Webinars
Pepperstone logo
support@pepperstone.com
1300 033 375
Level 16, Tower One, 727 Colins Street
Melbourne, VIC Australia 3008
  • Legal documents
  • Privacy policy
  • Website terms and conditions
  • Cookie policy
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Pepperstone Group Limited

Risk Warning: Trading CFDs and FX is risky. It isn't suitable for everyone and if you are a professional client, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. You don't own or have rights in the underlying assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information on this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. You should consider whether you’re part of our target market by reviewing our TMD, and read our PDS and other legal documents to ensure you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary.

Pepperstone Group Limited is located at Level 16, Tower One, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3008, Australia and is licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The information on this site and the products and services offered are not intended for distribution to any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

© 2024 Pepperstone Group Limited | ACN 147 055 703 | AFSL No.414530