Handelsbanken Insights Economic Update

A new dawn is imminent in Westminster, so Sonia Rothwell and James Sproule discuss some of the ideas being floated by the man expected to become the UK's next prime minister, Andy Burnham. And the Bank of England’s influential decision-makers panel reported last week – what’s keeping the UK’s CFOs awake at night? And in our regular property segment, as 10-year gilt yields are raised, what’s th...

On a special spotlight edition of the podcast this week, we're looking at how the spike in oil prices has affected central banks' plans for interest rates. Join Daniel Mahoney and Johan Löf as they look at which signals central banks are listening to as they plot the path of base rates. Why not share this episode on social media or rate us wherever you're listening?

On this week's Handelsbanken Insights podcast, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney react to the breaking news that Sir Keir Starmer is resigning as the UK's prime minister and as leader of the Labour Party. The big question for markets is who will be the likely new chancellor? Plus, James and Dan dig into what the latest Bank of England MPC decision and other data tell us about the path of in...

After several false dawns, has a peace deal finally been agreed in the Middle East? Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule set out how the economic picture could change if the deal endures. Plus, David Cameron's happiness index was meant to be a way of tracking how content we are with our lives. James has looked at it and finds something surprising. And although reports say the house planning proces...

As the Fed's new Chair Kevin Warsh prepares for his first meeting in charge, he's facing a complicated economic and political environment. On this week's podcast, our Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf joins Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule to explain why. And James shares how recent data on consumer credit and purchasing managers confidence is affecting his view on the outlook for t...

On this week’s podcast with Sonia Rothwell and Daniel Mahoney . As the Iran war enters its fourth month, we’ll look more closely at how the effects are showing up in economic data. Plus, the cost of borrowing in the UK has gone up more than the rest of the G7 in the past five years, we’ll look at why. And what’s having the bigger effect on UK financial markets? Domestic or international politics?...

The continuing political uncertainty in the UK is top of the agenda for markets. Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule look at what effect it's had on gilts. Plus, it's a busy week for economic data, with fresh figures due on inflation, employment and earnings, and retail sales. And as we release our fifth annual Property Investor Report, James and Dan look at how some of the results fit in wit...

Our latest Global Macro Forecast includes a number of possible scenarios for the world's combined economies. Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf looks at which is currently the most likely. Plus: political risk has risen following a bad set of results in the UK local elections for the Labour Party - what do markets think of them and have they changed the path of interest rates? Senior UK Economis...

This week, Sonia Rothwell and James Sproule dive into the data likely to be on the minds of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee as it gathers to vote on interest rates. And James talks about a practical consideration that could affect whether Iran can keep pumping oil during the current blockade. Plus, how is the government's housebuilding target looking? James explains with th...

James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney look at the continuing Middle East conflict's impact on jet fuel and diesel supplies. Is the situation as bad as some commentators are saying? Plus, ahead of this week's inflation figures, February's GDP data showed that before the conflict, UK GDP was slightly healthier than thought. James explains why that might not be as positive as it looks. And as...

In this week's podcast, as the US commits to starting a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney look at several potential economic scenarios the latest action could prompt. Plus, what is private credit and why is the energy price shock drawing more attention to it? And in property news, James looks at what's happening in the UK's prime property market. Subscr...

Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule take stock of the latest economics news and consider recent calls for more North Sea oil drilling to counteract the effects of the Iran war. Plus, what other tools are available to help government and central banks control those effects? Don't forget to subscribe and rate us wherever you're listening.

With developments from the Middle East still emerging at time of writing, our economics experts James Sproule , Johan Löf and Daniel Mahoney give their latest analysis on how markets and central banks are responding to events over there, including reaction to the Bank of England's unexpected unanimous decision to hold interest rates. And listen in to find out what happens when a story breaks d...

The Bank of England will announce its decision on UK interest rates this week, in the shadow of continuing conflict in the Middle East. Our UK Chief Economist James Sproule joins Sonia Rothwell to unpack the implications. And following news of flat month-on-month GDP figures for January, where does that leave the UK economy as it faces the effects of the Iran war? All in under 15 minutes.  Don’t f...

Just over one week from the start of the Iranian conflict and although things are slightly clearer, it’s a fast-moving situation.  ⁠Johan Löf ⁠ and ⁠ James Sproule join Sonia Rothwell to give their reaction to weekend developments in the conflict, such as a spike in the price of oil, and to explain how they will affect: 📊 Interest rates 📊 Inflation 📊 Growth Plus, James explains why upcoming UK...

Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf and UK Chief Economist James Sproule join Sonia Rothwell to explain how the weekend's air strikes on Iran are already affecting global trade. And in Spring Statement week, James looks at the latest consumer confidence figures, a key indicator for the health of the UK economy. All in under 15 minutes. 🔗 Read our Macro Comment on the effects of the latest cr...

In the latest edition of our weekly economics podcast with ⁠Daniel Mahoney ⁠, ⁠Johan Löf⁠ and ⁠ James Sproule we discuss: 🔔 US Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs 🔔 Latest UK data including wage inflation and retail sales 🔔 An alternative vision for the UK's fiscal framework. All in under 15 minutes.

James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney review the latest GDP figures, and Dan shares the findings of our new research looking at how political uncertainty in the UK could hit the outlook for interest rates. Plus, why bad weather can rain on the UK economy. All in under 15 minutes. 💡 Read our report: " UK political risk moves from help to hindrance "

Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule unpick the latest Bank of England rates decision following a surprise pivot by the MPC. Plus, has a recent report rattled markets by suggesting the chancellor has run out of "fiscal headroom"? And following the departure of the Downing St Chief of Staff, is political risk for UK assets weighing on markets? All in under 15 minutes. We'd love to hear wh...

Kevin Warsh is President Trump's nominee as Fed chair - Daniel Mahoney and our Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf discuss what the markets made of the choice. And UK Chief Economist James Sproule looks at residential property prices and shares our prediction for this week's interest rates decision. Subscribe and rate us wherever you get your podcasts.

Join UK Chief Economist James Sproule and our Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf as they reveal our expectations for the world's economy at the start of 2026. Global recovery loading...but risks still loom Improving sentiment supports consumption and investment beyond AI and defence The outlook for interest rates in the US and Europe. And UK Senior Economist Daniel Mahoney offers 3 potential...

Ahead of the release of our Global Macro Forecast, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney pull out some of the key predictions about the UK's economic path in 2026. All in under 15 minutes. Why not rate us wherever you subscribe?

This week, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney drill down into what's hampering growth in the UK and EU compared to the United States. Rate us and subscribe wherever you're listening.

In the first podcast of 2026, Daniel Mahoney joins James Sproule to look back at 2025's key economic stories. Dan explains why some of them could still have an impact in 2026. Those include: inflation, interest rates, and how political issues are shaping the outlook for the economy and markets. All in under 15 minutes. 💡 We'd love to hear what you think, so why not drop us a review wherever you'r...

Join Daniel Mahoney , James Sproule and Johan Löf for our last podcast of 2025. They discuss the latest UK economic data, and share what they expect from the Bank of England's final rate decision of the year. Plus, what do 60, 1939, and 2 have in common? Listen in to find out! Don't forget to rate us wherever you get your podcasts, meantime we wish all of our listeners a happy Christmas and peacef...