Released on: February 14, 2008, 9:31 am

Press Release Author: Jim watson

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: As interest rate decisions go, today\'s verdict by the Bank of
England monetary policy committee (MPC) was perhaps the most widely predicted for
some time.

Press Release Body: As interest rate decisions go, today\'s verdict by the Bank of
England monetary policy committee (MPC) was perhaps the most widely predicted for
some time. In the last week, an Adfero poll of seven economists and a Reuters survey
of 60 both produced unanimous predictions of a 0.25 per cent cut.

Subsequently, Bloomberg did manage to find three dissenters among the 61 economists
it asked, with two going for a larger cut and one forecasting a hold decision. One
individual may have been feeling rather lonely when the decision came through today.

In its announcement, the MPC emphasised that its role had been \"to balance the risk
that a sharp slowing in activity pulls inflation below the target in the medium term
against the risk that elevated inflation expectations keep inflation above target.\"
This suggests that while the MPC acknowledged the potential for inflationary
pressures to push the consumer prices index upwards, it did not see \'stagflation\' as
a risk, rather that below-target inflation would be the result of a major slump.
While stagflation would be a worse outcome, it may be remembered that undershooting
the inflation target would no more be regarded a success than overshooting it.

Those interested in the implications for property investment may be pleased at the
thought that lower rates could boost the property market, making mortgages cheaper
and offering the hope that there will be further monetary loosening to come. Thus a
major question is that of how much the MPC will go on cutting rates.

Speaking prior to the decisions, which turned out as he predicted, Global Insight
chief economist Howard Archer forecast stated that the Bank was \"unlikely\" to copy
the recent rate-slashing actions of the US Federal Reserve, which cut the Federal
Funds rate by 0.75 per cent on January 22nd and by 0.5 per cent on January 30th.

Explaining that the UK\'s economic growth is relatively strong and noting the
potential threat of inflationary pressures from rising food and fuel prices, Mr
Archer said: \"Instead, the Bank of England is likely to cut interest rates gradually
but steadily.\"

Such a move would not please everyone. David Kern, economic advisor to the British
Chambers of Commerce, argued the Bank needed to swiftly bring rates down to five per
cent, which could be interpreted as a demand for cuts in successive months. Given
that an eight to one decision to hold rates has fallen between two trimmings of the
base rate, this may appear unlikely.

Of course, Mr Kern\'s interest is in the fortunes of the struggling retail sector,
which may be doing worse than the property market given the response to today\'s rate
cut by Spicer Haart estate agents. It noted that in January the number of first-time
buyers rose by two per cent and accounted for a third of all buyers. This may be the
first indication that a segment of the market that has suffered from high house
price inflation could be playing a major part in its recovery.

For all that, next week\'s inflation report publication may give new clues about the
strength of inflationary pressures, while the release of the minutes of the meeting
later this month will show whether the vote was as clear cut as the unanimous
decision in December or a split decision which indicates widespread doubt over the
MPC\'s scope for rate-cutting. Such factors may not make a cut in March likelier, but
they could just make all the difference in April.

In today\'s world Property investment is an excellent investment option especially
investment in UK

Web Site: http://www.assetz.co.uk/

Contact Details: Address:Assetz House, Newby Road, Stockport,Cheshire

zip:SK7 5DA

ph:0845 400 7000

fax:0845 400 6010

email:linkexchangeseo@gmail.com