Interest rate debate

Ken Fisher believes obsession with rate hikes or cuts is without any evidence of them having a major impact on stock markets

Will they or won't they? The world's central bankers seem to be conspiring against Brits. America's Fed and the Bank of England have hinted at rate hikes and ECB's Trichet almost promises a hike. Hikes? Yikes. Already jittery Brits fear rising inflation and falling stocks - because rate hikes are usually bad for stocks, right? Wrong. Where's the proof? People think tightening is bad and loosening grand, but I can't see the difference. Last time BoE tightened, beginning in late 2003, UK shares were up 8% and 25% 12 and 24 months later. Not so bad. The last major loosening period ...