0817 GMT - The Bank of England could be close to the end of interest rate cuts as U.K. inflation is likely to rebound, Berenberg's Andrew Wishart says in a note. The BOE is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold on Thursday at 4.50%, maintaining a gradual pace of rate reductions. U.K. businesses are expected to face significant increase in costs due to rises in minimum wage and employers' national insurance contributions starting in April, likely to be reflected in price increases, Wishart says. "We suspect that the last opportunity to cut interest rates this year will be May 8," lowering the bank rate to 4.25%, he says. (miriam.mukuru@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 19, 2025 04:17 ET (08:17 GMT)

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