UK: Focus on BoE and retail sales – TDS

Analysts at TD Securities point out that in the UK, retail sales for February are released, and their models and last week's Visa Spending data points to no growth in the month, after a strong rebound in January (mkt: -0.4%).

Key Quotes

“The BoE meets later in the day, and we expect a relatively uneventful meeting with policy unanimously left on hold at 0.75%, given the politically-charged atmosphere this week. Recent data has broadly confirmed the BoE's February outlook, and Brexit uncertainty is likely to leave the MPC shying away from any broader statements on future policy.”

“Later in the day, the EU Leaders Summit kicks off, with May asking leaders for an extension of Article 50 to end-June, which they are likely to provisionally grant, conditional on her deal passing next week.”