Handelsbanken Insights Economic Update

On this week's Handelsbanken Insights podcast, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney react to the breaking news that Sir Keir Starmer is resigning as the UK's prime minister and as leader of the Labour Party. The big question for markets is who will be the likely new chancellor?

Plus, James and Dan dig into what the latest Bank of England MPC decision and other data tell us about the path of interest rates.

All in under 15 minutes.

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After several false dawns, has a peace deal finally been agreed in the Middle East? Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule set out how the economic picture could change if the deal endures.

Plus, David Cameron's happiness index was meant to be a way of tracking how content we are with our lives. James has looked at it and finds something surprising.

And although reports say the house planning process is slightly improved, James looks at whether that's enough to revive the UK's housing construction activity.

All in under 15 minutes.

📊 If you want a regular update of economics news, click through to our economic research hub: https://handelsbanken.researchonline.se/macro

As the Fed's new Chair Kevin Warsh prepares for his first meeting in charge, he's facing a complicated economic and political environment. On this week's podcast, our Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf joins Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule to explain why.

And James shares how recent data on consumer credit and purchasing managers confidence is affecting his view on the outlook for the UK economy. All in under 15 minutes.

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💡Browse our other macro economic insights and reports.

On this week’s podcast with Sonia Rothwell and Daniel Mahoney.

As the Iran war enters its fourth month, we’ll look more closely at how the effects are showing up in economic data.

Plus, the cost of borrowing in the UK has gone up more than the rest of the G7 in the past five years, we’ll look at why.

And what’s having the bigger effect on UK financial markets? Domestic or international politics?

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💡Browse our other ⁠macro economic insights and reports⁠.

The continuing political uncertainty in the UK is top of the agenda for markets. Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule look at what effect it's had on gilts.

Plus, it's a busy week for economic data, with fresh figures due on inflation, employment and earnings, and retail sales.

And as we release our fifth annual Property Investor Report, James and Dan look at how some of the results fit in with the existing market.

All in under 15 minutes.

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Read our 2026 Property Investor Report

Browse our other macro economic insights and reports.

Our latest Global Macro Forecast includes a number of possible scenarios for the world's combined economies. Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf looks at which is currently the most likely.

Plus: political risk has risen following a bad set of results in the UK local elections for the Labour Party - what do markets think of them and have they changed the path of interest rates? Senior UK Economist Daniel Mahoney explains.

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Presenters: Daniel Mahoney, Johan Löf

Producer: Sonia Rothwell

🔗 Read: April 2026 Global Macro Forecast

🔗 Read: UK political risk may exacerbate financial market movements arising from geopolitical risk

This week, Sonia Rothwell and James Sproule dive into the data likely to be on the minds of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee as it gathers to vote on interest rates.

And James talks about a practical consideration that could affect whether Iran can keep pumping oil during the current blockade.

Plus, how is the government's housebuilding target looking? James explains with the latest building starts figures.

All in under 15 minutes.

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James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney look at the continuing Middle East conflict's impact on jet fuel and diesel supplies. Is the situation as bad as some commentators are saying?

Plus, ahead of this week's inflation figures, February's GDP data showed that before the conflict, UK GDP was slightly healthier than thought. James explains why that might not be as positive as it looks.

And as property investors tell us they see opportunities in data centres, Daniel shares how current economic challenges could affect the sector.

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In this week's podcast, as the US commits to starting a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney look at several potential economic scenarios the latest action could prompt.

Plus, what is private credit and why is the energy price shock drawing more attention to it?

And in property news, James looks at what's happening in the UK's prime property market.

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Presenters:

James Sproule, Daniel Mahoney

Producer:

Sonia Rothwell

Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule take stock of the latest economics news and consider recent calls for more North Sea oil drilling to counteract the effects of the Iran war.

Plus, what other tools are available to help government and central banks control those effects?

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