In spite of hawkish stance from Bank of England's (BOE), Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members Citibank has lowered its forecast for rate hikes from the central bank.
Bank has cut UK GDP growth forecast for the year to 2.6% in 2015, down from 2.8%, in previous expectations and 2.5% in 2016, down from 3% in previous forecast. Bank sighted weakness in third quarter data and broad based weakness in emerging markets.
Bank expects rates to be lower for longer given somewhat weaker growth than previous and disinflationary pressure. Moreover further slowdown in China could severely affect commodity prices.
In light of the above development, CITI has lowered forecast for rate hikes 50 basis points in 2016 (two) to just 25 basis points (one).
Initially bank had envisaged one hike in H1 2016 and another in H2 but now forecasting one in last quarter.
Pound is currently trading at 1.56 against Dollar.


Bitcoin Defies Gravity Above $93K Despite Missing Retail FOMO – ETF Inflows Return & Whales Accumulate: Buy the Dip to $100K
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook
Bitcoin Smashes $93K as Institutions Pile In – $100K Next?
Ethereum Ignites: Fusaka Upgrade Unleashes 9× Scalability as ETH Holds Strong Above $3,100 – Bull Run Reloaded
EUR/USD Smashes 1.1660 as ADP Jobs Massacre Crushes the Dollar
Bitcoin Reserves Hit 5-Year Low as $2.15B Exits Exchanges – Bulls Quietly Loading the Spring Below $100K
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 



