FTSE outlook: BoE meeting takes center stage in European market watch
As the FTSE hits record highs, all eyes are on the upcoming Bank of England meeting, with potential rate cuts poised to influence future market performance amidst positive UK and Chinese economic indicators.
They say good things come to those who wait—a saying that resonates well with the price action in the FTSE in 2024. After a prolonged period of stagnation, the FTSE finally sprung to life in the second half of April. It has since added more than 5%, trading to record highs when many of its global peers have entered a period of consolidation below their respective record highs.
The FTSE charting its own course at its own time is not unusual. It is viewed as a defensive benchmark, and often outperforms during periods of uncertainty when investors don't feel as confident about the outlook and seek the haven of safer harbours. The FTSE's sector composition, with a heavy weighting of financial, commodity, and energy-type stocks, has proven to be a boon recently. The latter two have benefited from higher prices, spurred by the recent improvement in Chinese economic data.
On top of this, the FTSE is benefitting from signs that the UK economy's growth profile is steadily improving. Earlier this week, the S&P UK Construction PMI rose to 53 in April from 50.2 prior, for its strongest expansion since February 2023. This week’s highly anticipated Bank of England (BoE) meeting could pave the way for a potential interest rate cut as early as its next meeting in June, a move that could further fuel the FTSE’s outperformance.
BoE interest rate decision
Date: Thursday, 9 May at 9pm AEST
At its meeting in March, the BoE, as widely expected, kept rates unchanged at 5.25%. However, the vote split surprised with an 8-1 vote, as two members who had voted for hikes in February removed their hawkish dissent, while a third continued to vote for a 25bp cut. This was the first time there was no hawkish dissent for rate hikes since the BoE went on hold last September.
The forward guidance from February, when the BoE shifted to a neutral stance, did not change. The BoE stated it: "will therefore continue to monitor closely indications of persistent inflationary pressures and resilience in the economy as a whole, including a range of measures of the underlying tightness of labour market conditions, wage growth, and services price inflation."
While the BoE will keep rates on hold this month at 5.25%, it will likely open the door to future rate cuts via dovish inflation projections and forward guidance. Ahead of the meeting, the interest rate market is pricing in a 45% chance of a 25 basis point (bp) rate cut at the BoE's meeting in June, with a full 25bp rate cut priced for August.
BoE official cash rate chart
DAX technical analysis
Our view from last week has not changed. The rally from the 17,626 low on April 19th is viewed as Wave B, or the second wave of a three-wave correction, currently unfolding from the 18567 high of early April.
The wave B should not exceed resistance in the 18,400/550 area and is expected to be followed by another leg lower (Wave C) towards the 17,500/300 support zone. If this decline plays out as expected, we will look closely for signs of basing in the 17,500/300 support area to establish longs.
Aware that if the DAX fails to turn lower and takes out the 18,567 high, it will invalidate our preferred wave count and open the way for it to push towards 18,000.
DAX daily chart
FTSE technical analysis
We have maintained a bullish stance in the FTSE since it broke above downtrend resistance in mid-March, coming from the February 2023, 8047 high. In last week's update, we said: “Providing the FTSE remains above support at 8,000 we continue to look for a test of 8250, with scope to 8400.”
After almost reaching our 8400 target and with the rally in FTSE now stretched and in extreme overbought territory, we feel the risks of a pullback are rising. We would suggest moving to a more neutral bias or tightening stops on longs with a view to buying a possible pullback after Thursday's BoE meeting.
FTSE daily chart
- Source:Tradingview. The figures stated are as of 8 May 2024. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
Start trading forex today
Trade the largest and most volatile financial market in the world.
- Spreads start at just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
- Analyse market movements with our essential selection of charts
- Speculate from a range of platforms, including on mobile
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices