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With the latest data on the EU Consumer Price Index being revealed with an expected rise to 2.2% in April, industry experts and professionals have shared their views and thoughts on what this means.Jochen Stanzl, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets comments: “Concerns about European economic growth, softer business surveys and a strong euro have already heightened expectations of further ECB rate cuts, but today’s inflation figures could throw a spanner in the works. Money markets had been pricing in 67 basis points of additional easing this year ahead of the data and, with inflation proving somewhat stickier than anticipated, the prospect of a further rate cut in September – following the already anticipated quarter-point reduction in June – may now be in doubt.However, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding trade policy, and inflation forecasts still encompass a wide range. When it implements its June cut, the ECB is unlikely to signal what it will do in September, emphasising instead that decisions will be taken from one meeting to the next.”Pierre Roke, Analyst at Validus Risk Management, said: “Eurozone inflation rose to 2.2% in April, in line with March’s 2.2%, following hotter-than-expected inflation prints from Germany, France, and Spain. This comes despite a continued decline in energy prices, driven by mounting fears of a broader global economic slowdown. The latest inflation data is unlikely to alter market expectations, with a 97% probability still priced in for a 25-basis point rate cut at next week’s ECB meeting. However, it does add renewed pressure on European policymakers who are juggling weak growth and persistent price pressures

The UK economy delivered unexpected GDP growth of 0.1% in the last three months of 2024. 0.9% growth for 2024 was lower than that achieved by several G7 countries including Canada and France.Following the release of this data, industry experts have shared their thoughts.Danni Hewson, AJ Bell head of financial analysis, comments on the latest UK GDP figures: “Even this miniscule scrap of growth will be a relief for the Treasury, which could have been dealing with a very different set of headlines this morning. “The economy is hardly in good health and another quarter bumping along the bottom is not the growth the government has promised. In fact when you compare the UK economy with that of other G7 countries the UK wasn’t at the front of the pack in 2024, it was stuck somewhere in the middle with Germany and Italy bringing up the rear. “There’s always the possibility that these figures could be revised but right now it looks like the UK has dodged the confidence sapping label of a technical recession. “After a bruising Budget and a halving of growth forecasts by the Bank of England, any bit of good news should be celebrated, and the government has shifted tack over the last month or so with backing for big infrastructure projects like Heathrow’s third runway putting meat on the bones of the chancellor’s growth plans.“But this isn’t the kind of growth that will make people feel better off, something Keir Starmer has said will be the way we can judge the government’s success. Add in population growth and GDP per head actually fell in 2024 compared to the year before.“Interest rates may be falling but that takes time to filter through to households and many are still wary of spending as company after company warns that changes to employer NI will supress wage increases and result in fewer jobs being created. Many more are still finding the impact of higher prices difficult to deal with, especially after a hike in the energy price cap, and warnings that inflation will nudge back up later in the year have further dented confidence