South Korea Central Bank Signals Cautious Policy Amid Inflation and Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
Bank of Japan's Ueda Flags Low Real Interest Rates as Key Factor in Rate Hike Timing 
ECB Signals Possible Interest Rate Move if Inflation Outlook Fails to Improve 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Grow as Board Member Signals Hawkish Stance 
UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier today released UK CPI data which showed that the headline figure ticked higher to 0.3% y/y from 0.2% in Dec. On monthly basis, the CPI dropped 0.8%, beating the estimate drop of 0.7%. However, core CPI inflation unexpectedly missed estimates to print at 1.2% from Dec's print of 1.4%.
Data reinforced the view that BoE will be in no hurry to hike rates. Recently BoE Governor Carney had said that the necessary conditions for the MPC to begin tightening policy are 1) above-trend GDP growth, 2) a pickup in unit labour costs and 3) continued firming of core inflation. The unexpected decline in UK core CPI inflation gives further support to BoE Governor Carney's view.
"We expect the first BoE rate hike in Q3, assuming that the status quo is maintained after an increasingly likely referendum on EU membership this summer. Risks to this call are obviously currently tilted towards a later liftoff date." said Nordea Bank in a research note.
