General election policies – what do voters want

All eyes this week turn to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt ahead of the autumn statement. With the election looming within the next 12 months or so, battle lines are being drawn on what policies will drive voters to tick their box. Many rumours circulating that tax cuts will be the main giveaway, in a bid to bring the voters back to the blue side. With inflation coming down and the economy slowly chugging along, tax cuts will be seen by many as a driver to put the economy in the fast lane to recovery, whilst giving people more money in their pocket. Although inflation rates are dropping, albeit not to the level the Bank of England would like to be (2%), the markers are also more optimistic of interest rate cuts next year.

Slow-down in US for Thanksgiving

It should be a relatively quiet week across the pond, as Thanksgiving is this Thursday, but retail sales should get a boost as more money is spent on Thanksgiving than on Christmas. Expectations are for a boost in Beer and Turkey sales…..almost like Christmas has come early for the Turkeys.

Bumper pay-hikes expected in Japan

Into Asia, many of Japan’s big employers are set to follow this year’s bumper pay hikes with another round in 2024, which are expected to help lift household spending and give the central bank the conditions it needs to finally roll back massive monetary stimulus. Early indications from businesses, unions and economists suggest the labour and cost pressures that set the stage for this year’s pay hikes – the largest in more than three decades – will persist heading into next year’s key spring wage talks.