This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2019/jun/20/us-interest-rate-cut-dollar-pound-bank-of-england-decision-mark-carney-business-live

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Wall Street hits record high, as Iran tensions send oil price up - business live Wall Street hits record high, as Iran tensions send oil price up - business live
(about 1 hour later)
This, however, might be reassuring...
Trump: Iran incident could have been someone who was loose and stupid and shot down a drone.
This won’t calm nerves in the oil market:This won’t calm nerves in the oil market:
In response to a shouted press question about any US response to Iran shootdown of a US Navy surveillance drone, @POTUS was seen to mouth the words, "you'll find out." pic.twitter.com/aOmWUw6uOdIn response to a shouted press question about any US response to Iran shootdown of a US Navy surveillance drone, @POTUS was seen to mouth the words, "you'll find out." pic.twitter.com/aOmWUw6uOd
Are investors getting carried away by the prospect of a US interest rate cut?Are investors getting carried away by the prospect of a US interest rate cut?
They should remember that central bankers are becoming more cautious because the global economy looks weaker - not really a cause of jubilation.They should remember that central bankers are becoming more cautious because the global economy looks weaker - not really a cause of jubilation.
Fawad Razaqzada of Forex.com reckons the rally could “turn to despair” once markets have digested the situation.Fawad Razaqzada of Forex.com reckons the rally could “turn to despair” once markets have digested the situation.
He points out:He points out:
Rates are being cut because the global economy is, or perceived to be, slowing down amid the escalation of geopolitical risks. With global interest rates already so low, how much of a boost would the economy get from (the promise of) a 25 or 50 basis point reduction in interest rates?Rates are being cut because the global economy is, or perceived to be, slowing down amid the escalation of geopolitical risks. With global interest rates already so low, how much of a boost would the economy get from (the promise of) a 25 or 50 basis point reduction in interest rates?
Granted, it will increase the marginal supply of cheap credit further, but that is not the issue here; it is all about marginal demand, or lack thereof, for cheap loans from consumers and businesses because of the latest or upcoming interest rate cuts. I think the law of diminishing returns apply here. Also, with central banks keeping rates so low for such a long period of time, what will happen if the economy were to deteriorate even further?Granted, it will increase the marginal supply of cheap credit further, but that is not the issue here; it is all about marginal demand, or lack thereof, for cheap loans from consumers and businesses because of the latest or upcoming interest rate cuts. I think the law of diminishing returns apply here. Also, with central banks keeping rates so low for such a long period of time, what will happen if the economy were to deteriorate even further?
Will the Fed and other central banks have any more monetary policy tools left at their disposals then? And what about a situation where we see a sudden economic recovery or a big jump in inflation? Surely in this event, central banks will have to tighten their belts quickly, potentially choking off growth.Will the Fed and other central banks have any more monetary policy tools left at their disposals then? And what about a situation where we see a sudden economic recovery or a big jump in inflation? Surely in this event, central banks will have to tighten their belts quickly, potentially choking off growth.
It’s important to remember that while Washington and Tehran agree that an American spy drone has been shot down by Iranian forces, they don’t agree on where it was flying at the time.It’s important to remember that while Washington and Tehran agree that an American spy drone has been shot down by Iranian forces, they don’t agree on where it was flying at the time.
Iranian media said the aircraft was hit inside Iranian airspace, near Kuh Mobarak, on Iran’s southern coast.Iranian media said the aircraft was hit inside Iranian airspace, near Kuh Mobarak, on Iran’s southern coast.
The US say the Global Hawk drone was flying in international airspace when it was shot down by an Iranian missile over the Strait of Hormuz.The US say the Global Hawk drone was flying in international airspace when it was shot down by an Iranian missile over the Strait of Hormuz.
Navy Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, insists:Navy Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, insists:
“Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false. This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace.”“Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false. This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset in international airspace.”
But Ali Shamkhani, secretary for the Supreme National Security Council, is just as adamant that the aircraft had breached Iranian borders, saying:But Ali Shamkhani, secretary for the Supreme National Security Council, is just as adamant that the aircraft had breached Iranian borders, saying:
“We will defend Iran’s airspace and maritime boundaries with all our might. It doesn’t matter which country’s aircraft cross our airspace.”“We will defend Iran’s airspace and maritime boundaries with all our might. It doesn’t matter which country’s aircraft cross our airspace.”
Such talk is raising concerns of military conflict in the Middle East, which would cause oil supply disruption. That’s why oil prices are pushing sharply higher this afternoon:Such talk is raising concerns of military conflict in the Middle East, which would cause oil supply disruption. That’s why oil prices are pushing sharply higher this afternoon:
US crude: up 5.8% at $59.91 per barrel, a three-week highUS crude: up 5.8% at $59.91 per barrel, a three-week high
Brent crude: up 4.3% at $64.52 per barrel, also a three week highBrent crude: up 4.3% at $64.52 per barrel, also a three week high
And here’s our latest news story on the incident:And here’s our latest news story on the incident:
Iran shoots down US 'spy' droneIran shoots down US 'spy' drone
US crude oil is now up nearly 6%, on fears of disruption in the Gulf.US crude oil is now up nearly 6%, on fears of disruption in the Gulf.
US crude continuing to rally - JUN WTI $57.07 +5.8% pic.twitter.com/UhuhucsTjXUS crude continuing to rally - JUN WTI $57.07 +5.8% pic.twitter.com/UhuhucsTjX
Neil Wilson of Markets.com says Donald Trump’s “belligerent” tweet accusing Iran of a ‘big mistake’ is driving oil up.Neil Wilson of Markets.com says Donald Trump’s “belligerent” tweet accusing Iran of a ‘big mistake’ is driving oil up.
Oil has extended gains on this response from the White House, which sounds quite belligerent. West Texas Intermediate is up 5% to 56.76, while Brent has broken up above $64.Oil has extended gains on this response from the White House, which sounds quite belligerent. West Texas Intermediate is up 5% to 56.76, while Brent has broken up above $64.
Oil has risen to its best in three weeks and now looks to have moved out of its bottoming formation.Oil has risen to its best in three weeks and now looks to have moved out of its bottoming formation.
Oil prices rally to the day's high after Trump says Iran made a ‘very big mistake #JustIn #Oil #CrudeOil #Crude pic.twitter.com/DyDs8Bik2pOil prices rally to the day's high after Trump says Iran made a ‘very big mistake #JustIn #Oil #CrudeOil #Crude pic.twitter.com/DyDs8Bik2p
Oil is on track for its biggest daily rally in five months, driven by concerns that the US and Iran could be heading for military conflict.Oil is on track for its biggest daily rally in five months, driven by concerns that the US and Iran could be heading for military conflict.
Oil prices jump to high of the day, up more than 4%, after Trump says Iran made a ‘very big mistake’ https://t.co/WB7OIYeTIH pic.twitter.com/A2ikEjUUq8Oil prices jump to high of the day, up more than 4%, after Trump says Iran made a ‘very big mistake’ https://t.co/WB7OIYeTIH pic.twitter.com/A2ikEjUUq8
Newsflash: President Trump has tweeted that Iran made “a very big mistake” by shooting down a US military drone overnight.Newsflash: President Trump has tweeted that Iran made “a very big mistake” by shooting down a US military drone overnight.
Iran made a very big mistake!Iran made a very big mistake!
That has send the oil price soaring even higher. US crude is now up 4.5% today at over $56 per barrel, its highest level since 30 May.That has send the oil price soaring even higher. US crude is now up 4.5% today at over $56 per barrel, its highest level since 30 May.
Nearly every one of the 30 companies on the Dow Jones industrial average are up too.Nearly every one of the 30 companies on the Dow Jones industrial average are up too.
The top riser is Nike (+2.45%), followed by several tech firms including Cisco (+2%) and IBM (+1.7%).The top riser is Nike (+2.45%), followed by several tech firms including Cisco (+2%) and IBM (+1.7%).
JP Morgan, though, is a rare faller - down 0.4%. Lower interest rates aren’t good news for banks, as they erode the profit margin between borrowers and savers.JP Morgan, though, is a rare faller - down 0.4%. Lower interest rates aren’t good news for banks, as they erode the profit margin between borrowers and savers.
#Traders see 100% chance the Fed will cut rates in July#Forex #Fx- Read Full Article: https://t.co/qdSj8e0jjk pic.twitter.com/ooeZ9s272Q#Traders see 100% chance the Fed will cut rates in July#Forex #Fx- Read Full Article: https://t.co/qdSj8e0jjk pic.twitter.com/ooeZ9s272Q
President Donald Trump is excited by today’s Wall Street action:President Donald Trump is excited by today’s Wall Street action:
S&P opens at Record High!S&P opens at Record High!
With the re-election campaign kicking off, the president will use the stock market as proof that he’s doing a good job.With the re-election campaign kicking off, the president will use the stock market as proof that he’s doing a good job.
He’ll also take the credit, pointing to his campaign to force the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates and start cutting (as they may do next month).He’ll also take the credit, pointing to his campaign to force the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates and start cutting (as they may do next month).