The Bank of England has decided to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.25% during this week’s policy meeting, in line with market expectations. This marks several consecutive meetings without a rate change, highlighting the central bank’s cautious stance amid slowing economic growth and a gradual easing in inflation.

Among the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee, six voted to maintain the current rate, while three were in favor of a 0.25 percentage point cut. This split vote underscores internal differences over the timing of potential rate reductions.

Governor Andrew Bailey noted after the meeting that while inflation has eased, it remains above the Bank’s 2% target. He emphasized that future rate cuts will be gradual. Markets interpreted his comments as a signal that the Bank of England may begin cutting rates in the second half of the year. However, the central bank also flagged ongoing risks, such as tensions in the Middle East and potential inflationary pressures, suggesting a cautious approach despite a more dovish tone.

The British pound held steady following the announcement, indicating that traders had largely priced in the decision. In contrast, the UK stock market showed weakness, with the FTSE 100 falling 51.67 points to close at 8,791.80 — a decline of 0.58%.

Across the Atlantic, U.S. markets were closed for Juneteenth on June 19. Still, futures for major indexes showed mild losses during the holiday. Dow Jones and S&P 500 futures edged lower, reflecting investor concerns about persistently high interest rates and an uncertain economic outlook.

Looking back at the previous trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 44.14 points to close at 42,171.66, while the S&P 500 slipped 1.85 points to end at 5,980.87. In contrast, the Nasdaq bucked the trend, gaining 25.18 points to close at 19,546.27, a rise of around 0.13%.

In the European markets, sentiment was also subdued. Germany’s DAX index dropped 260.4 points to 23,057.38. Overall, global markets have grown more volatile, driven by shifts in monetary policy, geopolitical uncertainty, and a mixed bag of economic data. Many investors are choosing to stay on the sidelines until the outlook becomes clearer.

Looking ahead, markets will closely watch the pace and timing of rate cuts from the Bank of England and other major central banks. With the U.S. Federal Reserve holding steady with its high-rate policy, we may see fresh shifts in capital flows and currency markets in the coming months. Staying flexible with investment strategies will be crucial.