UK Rate Cut Backfires

Last week, the Bank of England acquieced to the seriousness of the credit crisis by cutting its benchmark interest rate by 150 basis points- the largest margin in nearly two decades.

While the move was intended to restore confidence in the UK economy and its financial markets, the opposite result obtained.

In other words, investors interpreted the rate cut as an indication that the UK economic situation is even more precarious than was initially feared.

In fact, this bearish sentiment is born out by economic data, which shows falling home prices and rising unemployment.

Since peaking against the Dollar late last year, the British Pound has since declined 25%.