BofA Merrill Lynch: More managers now expect Q2 rate hike

Expectations the Bank of England and European Central Bank will raise interest rates in the second quarter of 2011 have risen dramatically, a new survey of fund managers shows.

According to the Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch monthly European Fund Manager Survey, 40% of respondents now expect the BoE to raise rates from the current level of 0.5% in Q2 2011. An equal number of managers believe a hike will come in Q3. Last month, just 17% of respondents expected a rate hike in Q2, with 31% forecasting rates to go up in Q3 and another third saying a rise was not likely until Q4. The survey, which was conducted between 4 and 10 March, before the earthquake in Japan, also shows a dramatic shift in expectations of a rate rise in the eurozone. It found 72% ...