1154 GMT - The vote split at the Bank of England's rate decision on Thursday could again show very divergent views on the economy, though the bank rate is expected to stay on hold at 4.50%, BNY's Geoff Yu says in a note. Taking into consideration a continued rise in fiscal pressures, the overall growth outlook for the U.K. is problematic, the EMEA market strategist says. As recently as January, the domestic economy contracted. A changed outlook would require a large policy offset in due course, he says. "The BOE will likely reiterate its 'careful' stance given external policy volatility but the near-term focus will now shift to the fiscal statement towards month-end," Yu says. The U.K.'s budget statement is due on March 26. (emese.bartha@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 19, 2025 07:54 ET (11:54 GMT)

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