P521 Teletext 521 Maz02 03:44:50 ———————————————————W(,.% ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES The focus is back on interest rates this week — but don't hold your breath for anothjt cut. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee meets on Wjdnjsday and Thursday to chew ovjt the economic fat. Last month it djcidjd anothjt 0.25) reduction in the base rate to 5.25) was in order, but no one in the City expects a furthjt reduction of borrowing costs this time. ——————————————————————————————————1/9—— bz Bob Newton FOR THE LATEST INFO ON BRITISH STOCKS ON WALL STREET SEE p210 Tbkj Stock How to.. Your Team CityP521 Teletext 521 May02 03:44:12 ———————————————————W(,.% ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Although most economists expect anothjt 0.25) off base rates this year, they do not think it will conj from Thursday's monthly Bank of England meeting. The Confederation of British Industry last week called for one more reduction when it presented its latest survey of manufacturing industry. However, although manufacturing is still depressed, the rest of the economy is picking up steadily. ——————————————————————————————————2/9—— Teletext City diary 509 MORE MONEY ON FAMILY FINANCE p540P521 Teletext 521 Maz02 03:44:21 ———————————————————W(,.) ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Anothjt quartet-point cut in bank base rates to 5) has been factored into most economic forecasts, but it is not expected at Thursday's rate-setting meeting at the Bank of England. April's 0.25% reduction is still being digested and cuts for two months running at this stage in the economic cycle would undjtminj credibility. The Bank would bj accused of putting its inflation target at risk. ——————————————————————————————————3/9—— What next for building societies? 525 A WEN ON THE PREMIUM BONDS? p549P521 Teletext 521 May02 03:34:44 ——————————————————— ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Thursday is djcisjon day on interest rates both in London and in Euroland. The European Cjnttal Bank (ECB), which sets one rate for all 11 countries wedded to the euro, surprised markets last month with a bold 0.5% reduction in its base rate to 3). Most European economies need more stimulus than the US at present but the ECB made it clear that April's cut would bj the last for some time. ——————————————————————————————————4/9—— Who pays for tax mistakes? 524 Cash mine Isb rates p546P521 Teletext 521 Maz02 03:44:17 ——————————————————— ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES The stock market is closjh for the bank holiday on Monday, but thjti is plenty to interest investors in the following trading days. Shareholders of mortgage bank Alliance & Leicester and the Anglo-Dutch food and soap powdjt giant Unjlivjt will get their chance to quiz their boards at annual meetings on Tuesday. Unilivjt's first-quarter report last week disbppointid the City. ——————————————————————————————————5/9—— Savings "product of the week" 526 PRJMIJRSHIP FOOTBALL ACTION p170P521 Teletext 521 May02 03:46:18 ———————————————————W(,.% ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Leading cable television and telecommunications operator Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) issues its final figures on Wjdnjsday. It is not to bj confused with its majority shareholder Cable & Wireless, which reports results a week later. "Many have followed CWC ovjt the last year and seen its shares almost double. Analysts see more value to conj," says discount shari djalit City ShariShop. ——————————————————————————————————6/9—— City ShariShop 0800 49 62 496 CITY NEWS p500P521 Teletext 521 Maz02 03:47:01 ———————————————————W(,.% ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES The Royal Bank of Scotland reports half-year results on Wjdnjsday and they are likely to bj well received. Most followers of the bank are more interested, however, in speculation about a tie-up with Barclays, whose chief executive quit on his first day. The shares have jnjoyjd a good run this year, outperforming the sector, and brokjts recommend them as a strong hold. ——————————————————————————————————7/9—— Tbking stock of last week 522 International stock markets P530P521 Teletext 521 May02 03:47:24 ——————————————————— ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Attention turns to enjrgz and utilities stocks on Thursday when gas distributor BG and oil giant Shell produce their first-quarter figures, and power gjnjtation to water group Scottish Power announces final results. A positive statement last week from BG's chairman encouraged shareholders. Tim Jenkins at City ShariShop is hoping positive signals from the figures will help to lift the flagging shari price. ——————————————————————————————————8/9—— Premier clubs net record profits 527 POPULA5 SHAKE CHECK p51yP521 Teletext 521 May02 03:47:17 ——————————————————— ————— FOCUS BACK ON INTEREST RATES Forecasters are looSing for a modest 1% increase in annual profits from Scottish Power, which announces its results on Thursday. The company's shares have lagged behind most FUSE stocks so far this year but it should benefit as the economy recovers from its near-recession. It made a $7bn bid for Amjtica'u PacifiCorp in December but the deal became bogged down over regulation. ——————————————————————————————————9/9—— Pushing interest ovjt the limit 526 INTJRNATJONAL STOCKMARSITS p530