Stressful times for banks and economists as BoE tests hit

The results of the Bank of England’s stress tests on banks could make this a decidedly stressful week for executives at some of the more vulnerable institutions.

Carpetright has a new chief executive. Picture: NewsCast

Regulators are keen that all the stress arrives at the same time, and it has been leaked that the central bank has stressed that leaks will not be tolerated.

The officially designated stress point is Tuesday morning, and that will make for a frenzied few hours as analysts and investors rush to interpret the results.

Economists won’t have an easy time of it either, with a raft of announcements due on inflation, unemployment and wage growth that all have a bearing on the hot topic of interest rates. The latest deliberations from the Bank of England rate-setters themselves are also due to be published this week.

WEEK AHEAD

Monday

• Carpetright – New boss Wilf Walsh will have the opportunity to stamp his mark on the retailer amid hopes of an upturn in its fortunes as half–year results are unveiled.

Tuesday

• Inflation – The consumer prices index looks set to slide back to match its lowest level since September 2009 at 1.1 per cent.

• Stress tests – The Bank of England releases the results of its dreaded stress tests on lenders.

Wednesday

• Dixons Carphone – The first results since the group’s creation in a £3.7 billion tie–up should reveal more strong trading from the Currys/PC World part of the business.

• Unemployment – The headline rate is expected to edge down below 6 per cent as employers continue to report that they are hiring staff.

Thursday

• MPC minutes – There may be signs that more rate–setters are edging towards a rise.

Friday

• Public finances – October’s figures showed a tiny decline in borrowing but November is not expected to be as forgiving.

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