Tuesday 28 March 2023

Screw tightens

Okay, okay.

'What's this, boss?'

It's disco, Voice.

'Disco?!'

That's right. You heard me. Disco.

'Whatever.'

It's from Wealth Club. They love disco. I love disco.

Screw tightens on central bankers as food inflation reaches levels last seen in the 70's

Inflation ticked unexpectedly upwards in February, with CPI rising 1.1% in the month, while annualised inflation kicked up to 10.4% from 10.1% in January.
The rising rate of annual inflation reflects higher food and clothing costs, particularly food where prices rose at their fastest rate year-on-year since 1977, partially offset by cheaper motor fuel and recreational activities.
Inflation had been forecast to come in at 9.9% year-on-year (Trading Economics).

'Er ... where's the disco?'

Christ! Will you be patient, man?! Our Nick has got all the disco stuff ...

Nicholas Hyett, Investment Analyst, Wealth Club:

"An unexpected tick up in inflation in February will put central bankers in a squeeze. We're already seeing fallout from the rapid rise in interest rates around the world, with weaker banks outside the UK starting to pop under the pressure. The hope was that a steady drift down in inflation would let central bankers ease back on rate rises. Instead a spike in food prices, up 18.2% and the highest it’s been since 1977, and higher prices in restaurants and hotels, up 12.1%, means the fight against inflation is not yet over."

'Nothing to do with disco!'

Uh.

Idiot!

Come on, Nick! Lay the disco stuff on him!

"Food inflation is already back in the disco era, the challenge for central bankers is to limit other reminders of the late 70s to flared jeans and shoulder pads. Unfortunately that leaves the Bank of England with unappealing choices - ease back on rate rises but risk leaving inflation running higher when households are already struggling, or stay in the inflationary fight and risk further economic crunches. It's a circle that's not easily squared."

You see, Voice?

'Yeah. That's really impressive, that is.'

Ha!

ENDS

...

Never mind.

I know that Tina Charles - if she were reading this post - would appreciate my efforts, and Nick's efforts.

'He wasn't even dancing!'

Who wasn't?!

'Nick.'

How do you know?

'I had a quick look. He was just sitting there, talking. He had a suit and tie on, too. He doesn't have any disco in him at all.'

Leave him alone.

'I'm just saying.'

Yeah, yeah.

Boney M. did a great version of Sunny. They wouldn't have a problem with Nick.

'Well -'

And I'm just saying. Okay?

'Yeah.'

ENDS
ENDS
ENDS