In the aftermath of the invasion, the Russian Ruble rallied, becoming one of the best-performing currencies in the world. This perplexed many commentators, who assumed sanctions on Russia would lead to rapid economic deterioration. But, the strength of the Russian Ruble masks the underlying reality. The high value of the Ruble was due to stringent …
Generation rent is a term to describe those young adults (18-40) who have been priced out of the housing market – unable to buy and having to pay a high percentage of income on rent. As well as an expensive housing market, generation rent faces financial difficulties from high living costs, student loans and low …
The best guide to US elections is the state of the economy. If the economy is doing badly with high unemployment and/or higher inflation. The party of the sitting US president tends to get punished by the voters. But, how much influence does the President have on the economy and the rate of inflation? In …
Readers Question: Does rising interest rates always result in a fall in house prices? No. It doesn’t always cause a fall in house prices. But, looking at historical data, when there is a sustained and significant rise in interest rates, it is very likely house prices will fall. For example, the 1981 and 1991 house …
Is net positive migration a factor behind the UK’s recent rise in house prices? Given the rapid rise in house prices since the mid-1990s and the corresponding rise in the number of immigrants, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that levels of net migration are having, at least, some effect on exacerbating the UK …
Reader’s Question: The Central bank is raising interest rates (I understand why). At the same time, the government is being called to reduce taxes. These appear contradictory policies to me? What am I missing? In summary You are right they tend to have opposite impacts on consumer spending and economic growth. Higher interest rates tend …
Current UK Inflation Rate CPI inflation rate: 2.3% (headline rate) CPI – D7G7 at ONS Source: Raw data General inflation tables | CPI annual % change D7G7 at ONS Other measures of inflation (CPIH) CPI including owner occupiers’ housing costs – 6.2% (CPIH – L550) See: Measures of inflation Reasons for low inflation in …
Readers question: Keeping a lower deficit of the National Budget would benefit Americans as interest rates would remain stable and allow new businesses to grow. Would you say this statement is correct? In theory, there is an argument that a rising deficit can cause a rise in bond yields and interest rates. Similarly, there is …