Inflation

SIX KEY MACRO THEMES

The Monetary Policy Committee should have started raising the base interest rate last summer to combat inflation and must look to hike rates as soon as possible, said Henderson's Simon Ward.

Gold has risen to hit a record $1,498.90 an ounce, with demand fuelled by a declining dollar and concerns following S&P's outlook downgrade for the US.

A record monthly increase in eurozone inflation unexpectedly sent the annual rate to a 29-month high in March, strengthening expectations that the European Central Bank will tighten monetary policy further this year.

Chinese growth raced ahead 9.7% in the first quarter of 2011, while inflation hit its highest level since 2008.

M&G's bond manager Jim Leaviss has clashed with Artemis' James Foster over whether the MPC should raise interest rates.

The ONS has denied inflation figures were leaked before the official announcement yesterday morning.

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation fell by a surprise 0.4% to 4% in March as the cost of food and drink lowered, but it is still double the Bank of England's target.

Inflation targeting is failing the UK economy. It is time for the coalition government to reassess it.

UK inflation is high and rising. Unemployment is high and rising. That isn't supposed to happen, is it?