Pound regains some ground
19.05.2026 Daily blogIt was a relatively quiet start to the week in financial markets. In FX, sterling recovered some ground after been under pressure for much of last week, moving back up to around $1.34 against the dollar and edging back below £0.87 against the euro. The single currency was little changed against the dollar, remaining near […]
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Weekly Round Up
Could Bank of England defy markets and keep rates on hold?
Oil prices and events in the Middle East, are increasingly shaping market expectations for central bank policy. While markets and economists broadly agree on the ECB’s near-term trajectory—expecting two-to-three rate hikes in 2026—there is a clear divergence thereafter: economists anticipate rates will fall back toward neutral levels (~2%), whereas markets imply persistently tighter policy, the […]
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Global Watch
Global Watch April 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a sharp rise in energy prices. Inflation will be higher and economic growth lower as a result, though to what extent will ultimately depend on how long energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted. While this leaves central banks facing a difficult balancing act, the […]
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Ireland Outlook
Ireland Outlook – April 2026
New Irish Economic Forecasts We have revised down our forecast for Irish GDP growth to 1.6% in 2026, followed by 3.6% in 2027. A key reason is that recent data suggest temporary front-running of US tariffs last year (now unwinding) played a stronger role in the 9.7% growth of exports in 2025. However, events in […]
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Ireland Infographic
Ireland Infographic – April 2026
We expect GDP will expand by 1.6% in 2026 and 3.6% in 2027. View the Ireland Infographic Here: Bank of Ireland Ireland Infographic April 2026
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UK Outlook
UK Outlook – May 2026
Growth Outlook Deteriorates Amid Energy Shock We have reduced our growth forecasts due to the negative impact of the US-Iran conflict and higher energy prices on the UK economy. We now expect GDP growth of 0.8% this year and 1.0% next year (versus 1.1% and 1.4% previously). Inflation, which had been easing, now looks set […]
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UK Infographic
UK Infographic – May 2026
We expect that UK GDP will grow by 0.8% in 2026 and 1.0% in 2027. Download the UK Infographic in Full Here: Bank of Ireland UK Infographic May 2026