UK Spring Market View: March 2023

Spring Market View:
March 2023

Even though GDP grew by only 0.2% in the second half of 2022, the mere fact that the UK dodged a recession helped a turnaround in sentiment and prospects.

While the latest forecast from the Bank of England is grim, it is much less dire than the bleak outlook forecast in November.  The BoE is now anticipating a shorter, sharper contraction in GDP growth in 2023.  Meanwhile, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt received a £30bn ‘windfall’ in February 2023, due to higher-than-expected tax revenues, reduced borrowing by local authorities and lower than planned subsidies for household energy bills.

February inflation forecasts from Citigroup were quite bullish, suggesting the Consumer Prices Index will fall to below 5% by July 2023 and to just 2.3% by November.  Most of the improvement is driven by global rather than UK factors – particularly a significant easing in energy pricing pressures.