For the second month in a row, UK CPI inflation has been worse than expected and currently stands in double digits. The Bank of England noted the path of inflation may be bumpier than expected in the short term but is likely to fall from thereon. We suspect it is correct but then, the Bank…
Eurozone inflation was slightly higher than anticipated in February but it was the increase in core inflation (excluding food and energy) that caught the eye. Now, one may conclude that food and energy, although volatile, are very much ‘core’ but leaving that argument aside, if the price of everything else is still rising (at a…
We live in a curious age. For all our mediums of instant communication, language increasingly obfuscates rather than enlightens. It seems people wish to be told what they want to hear rather than face reality. As for governments, now ever more manned/womaned/theyd by the incompetent, it’s a desire they are happy to comply with,…
Inflation looks to be moderating but the rate increases keep coming. The Federal Reserve increased U.S. rates by 0.25% to a range of 4.5% – 4.75% while the European Central Banks and Bank of England raised by 0.5% to 2.5% and 4.0%, respectively. All still have base borrowing costs meaningfully below their present rates of…
Increasingly, we live in a world of stupidity. I was recently watching the TV (now, a rare event) and the first advert at the commercial break was for a food delivery app. You know the kind of thing; junk food at the press of a button brought by a kid on a moped. The following…
I’ve always thought the word ‘crypto’ should have the letter ‘a’, somewhere and that Bitcoin should begin with a ‘sh’ sound. I’ve been asked many times what I thought about cryptocurrencies and at first, I said that I didn’t understand them. Now, after reading reams and listening to crypto experts, I can confidently say that…
Matt Hancock is currently a contestant on this year’s ‘I’m a Celebrity …… Get Me Out of Here’. To accept such an offer as a sitting MP suggests a brain the size of a pea (a split one) at any time but under current circumstances, it’s difficult to find the words although I shall try.…
Sometimes, it’s difficult to think of topics to write about. I shy away from posting on a pre-determined basis, preferring to comment only when a particular item has grabbed my attention. However, it’s not a problem I have at the moment. I could, pretty much, write something every day; all to the flapping soundtrack of…
I rarely watch BBC News nowadays. This is principally because there’s precious little news on it. I suppose it all depends upon what your definition of news is. Mine is what are the obvious national and international stories today on this planet of 7 billion plus souls? Lord Reith had it right when he noted the BBC’s job…
If there was any doubt regarding how inept, gullible and arrogant the Bank of England (B of E) is, it came with its decision to raise interest rates by 0.5% to 1.75%. It’s the largest rise in 27 years, which sounds dramatic but against CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation of 9.4%, it’s akin to calling…