Previous Trading Days Events 20 Dec 2023

The Inflation report for the U.K. showed lowerthanexpected CPI changes. Inflation plunged in November to its lowest rate in more than two years. The annual rate of increase in the consumer prices index dropped to 3.9 from Octobers 4.6 according to official data.

Key measures including core and services inflation, also dropped.

British inflation is now closer to other rich nations and matches that of France.

Source httpswww.reuters.comworldukukinflationfallsfarmorethanexpectedlowestsincesept202120231220

U.S. consumer confidence increased to a fivemonth high in December. There is a growing optimism about current and future business conditions as well as the labour market. The jump in confidence occurred across all age groups and household income levels. Though consumers continue to worry about inflation, spending is still on for specific items.

The Conference Boards consumer confidence index increased to 110.7 this month, the highest reading since July, from a downwardly revised 101.0 in November.

Consumer spirits are perking up for the holiday season which is a sign Christmas is still coming this year, said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS in New York. This makes us more optimistic that economic growth will continue to stay in the plus column in the coming year.

The top issue affecting consumers remains rising prices in general, while politics, interest rates, and global conflicts all saw downticks as…