BofA analysts say the Bank of England is unlikely to follow the ECB with a rate hike on Thursday and a hold would probably not materially undermine confidence in the pound. Markets are watching for a potential ECB policy misstep. Energy-driven second-round effects will be closely monitored and should support further BoE tightening, but a balanced stance weighing high inflation risks against weakening employment would be market-friendly. If price shocks persist the BoE could be seen as falling be

BofA analysts say the Bank of England is unlikely to follow the ECB with a rate hike on Thursday and a hold would probably not materially undermine confidence in the pound. Markets are watching for a potential ECB policy misstep. Energy-driven second-round effects will be closely monitored and should support further BoE tightening, but a balanced stance weighing high inflation risks against weakening employment would be market-friendly. If price shocks persist the BoE could be seen as falling behind, though BofA does not view that as the current situation; it expects the BoE to hold on Thursday and hike in July and September.