Guess the rate date challenge...

financialbliss

Oops. Normally don't do a "Thanks" to anyone who wants to be in this little challenge until I've actually added them in. Appears I missed off Frogy-G - now added to post #1 and vote added to overall total.

Also uploaded the December MPC voting decision graph: 8:1 to hold rates and uploaded a new MSE voting summary graph too.

In the firing line is laurasavon who chose January 2011, although we need to wait until 13th January for the January decision to be published.

As ever, if you want to have a stab at guessing when the base rate will change, then post here and I'll add you in as I find time.

Financial Bliss.

financialbliss

Bit late in the day for me to report this - you're probably aware the base rate was held at 0.5% again, but better report so in this little challenge thread.

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12179891

TiM:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=521184&in_page_id=2&ct=5

I've today read conflicting reports that we could see a rise as early as May, but also reports that we won't see an increase until 2012.

As ever, if you want a stab at guessing the date the base rate will change, post here and I'll get you added in.

FB.

alex_p

I think it will be April 2011 from 0.5% to 0.75%

financialbliss

Alex_p now added in and laurasavon (13) crossed out due to rate being held in January.

Looks like the rates getting a lot of press at present. Coverage on BBC news and TiM today:

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12201123

TiM:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=521377&in_page_id=2

FB.

Tesco_Tom

I will go for June 2011. Up 0.5% to 1%

financialbliss

Just added Tesco Tom in. Thanks for showing an interest.

The MPC minutes for January were released today and Martin Weale joined Andrew Sentance in calling for a rate increase.

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12284778

TiM:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=521805&in_page_id=2&ct=5

Particularly like the TiM article saying bank was "Close to a rate rise" - not quite a majority!

Graphs just being uploaded...
FB.

unhappy_shopper

My prediction is that the rate rise will be in June 2011 from 0.5% to 0.75%

Niksan

I think September 2011 from 0.5% to 0.75%

financialbliss

Guess everyone noticed that the BoE held interest rates again today?

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12413773

TiM:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=522686&in_page_id=2&ct=5

Didn't get the time to update earlier today!

From what I've read in recent days, there's a general expectation of a rate rise in May 2011 at the earliest.

FB.

gallygirl

I went for April 11 and have a horrid feeling I might be right