Warning continues to be the phrase on inflation
“Encouraging” is nice, clearly, however “early signs” and “starting to ease” don’t smack of an enormous breakthrough within the battle with the inflation monster.
Clearly there was some progress in classes resembling dairy however there are nonetheless main structural provide points holding different prices elevated.
Shoppers who anticipate that their trolleys of groceries will truly value them much less any time quickly are in for a disappointment. All eyes now flip to the Office for National Statistics numbercrunchers on Wednesday for the May inflation information.
The headline determine ought to fall once more down in direction of 8% — additional gradual progress on the lengthy street again in direction of financial rectitude.
A “miss on the upside” — because the City scribblers prefer to name it — would clearly be unhealthy news and will set off one other spherical of gilts market turmoil.
But whereas subsequent week’s quantity is vital, the one to observe for is the July determine that will likely be unfurled within the canine days of August when many of the Square Mile’s drones will likely be sunning themselves in Cornwall or on the Med.
That is the month when the power cap falls considerably beneath the Government’s £2500 value assure.
That ought to, in principle, feed by means of to a big fall within the Consumer Prices Index to maybe near 7%. If that quantity is disappointing we might be in for an additional very bumpy experience within the autumn.
Just like final 12 months.