In May, against expectations of a slowdown, inflation stubbornly held at 8.7%, creating additional pressure on the Bank of England. This comes just a day before the anticipated 13th consecutive interest rate hike to curb price growth. The headline figure places British inflation at the top among major advanced economies. These numbers aren't exactly comfortable for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who aimed to cut inflation by half this year before the 2024 election. Moreover, they could lead to increased mortgage costs for homeowners.
Daily Market Analysis
The S&P500 Index has been rising for the last four months of the current year. Over the past quarter, the index gained 3.85%. Bulls almost managed to break through the mark of 4300 points. And yet there are some doubts about the continuation of further growth. What's going on?
The possibility of a US recession has ignited intense debates, especially as the labor market and consumer spending continue to demonstrate resilience despite aggressive interest rate hikes. However, hold on to your hats because Deutsche Bank is bringing a bold statement. They see a 100% probability of a US recession unfolding.
The European economy trudged along with meager growth from the first quarter, lacking the oomph needed to gain momentum. As inflation persists and groceries become pricier, people become more reluctant to part with their hard-earned paychecks. The recent 0.1% increase from the previous quarter falls short of expectations, and the United States isn't faring much better, fueling concerns of a potential recession in the world's largest economy.
Don't give up on gold just yet! Despite some challenging times, the World Gold Council believes gold should remain a key asset in your strategic arsenal. Even as the Federal Reserve takes a breather from its aggressive monetary policy stance, it's still maintaining a hawkish stance. In fact, they're signaling the possibility of two more rate hikes this year.
Get ready for the latest on the Federal Reserve's upcoming decision. In a surprising move, the Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged for the first time since embarking on an aggressive tightening cycle. But hold your horses. It's not a pivot or a pause!
Let's dive into the recent debt ceiling saga in the US and its implications for the economy, deficit, and inflation. The good news is that a new debt deal is on the horizon, saving us from a potential default on June 5. Phew! This deal will impact the economy by providing stability and avoiding a financial catastrophe.
Get ready for some suspense as the Bank of Canada faces a tough decision on whether to raise interest rates or keep them on hold. The resilient Canadian economy and the goal of curbing inflation further are at the heart of this dilemma. While some money markets and economists predict another rate hike, others believe the central bank should exercise caution and wait, hinting at a possible increase later in the summer.
Let's take a closer look at Australia's recent economic performance. Brace yourselves for some interesting developments. The country's economy experienced its slowest growth since late 2021 in the first quarter, raising doubts about the Reserve Bank of Australia's rapid interest rate increases. Despite the bank's record-breaking 12 rate hikes in the last 13 months, the resource-rich economy only grew by a modest 0.2% in the quarter, falling short of economists' expectations.
Let's dive into the latest developments shaping the global economic landscape. Good news first: the threat of an unprecedented US debt crisis has receded, as US lawmakers passed a bill to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default. Phew! But don't pop the champagne just yet, because storm clouds are still looming. High inflation, rising interest rates, and sluggish growth are challenges that have yet to disappear.
Thanks to the incredible advancements in horizontal drilling and fracking technology, the United States has experienced a mind-blowing shale revolution. They've become the heavyweight champion of crude oil production, leaving Saudi Arabia and Russia in the dust. They even turned the tables and became net exporters of refined petroleum products in 2011.
Let's dive into the world of gold. Currently, the price of gold, represented by XAUUSD, is stuck in indecision, hovering around the $1,975 mark. The market is anxiously awaiting two important factors: the release of the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes and the extension of the US debt ceiling.