Handelsbanken Insights Economic Update

There've been a few days now to digest John Healey's first budget. Our expert panel, UK Chief Economist James Sproule and Christine Ros s, Head of Private Office North at Handelsbanken join Daniel Mahoney to discuss the major announcements (as well as what wasn't there), and what those mean for you. Why not subscribe to Handelsbanken Insights so that you don't miss an episode?

November 5 may have more fireworks than usual as the Bank of England releases its interest rate decision - the most closely-watched in some time. On this week's podcast, Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule discuss the many datapoints that will feed into the bank's decision including consumer confidence, inflation, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Catch up in under 15 minutes.

With two economically significant events coming up on either side of the Atlantic, on this week’s podcast Sonia Rothwell is joined by Senior UK economist Daniel Mahoney and Global Head of Forecasting Johan Löf to discuss the UK budget and the US mid-term elections. What does the economic backdrop look like in the UK and what may and may not be included in John Healey’s budget speech? Plus, as Republicans defend a congressional majority on November 3, the political cliche – it’s the economy stupid – is more relevant than ever. We’ll take a health check on the US economy. Why not drop us a review wherever you listen?

The party conference season is over for 2026 but Labour and the Conservatives both set out some eye-catching economic policies for voters. On this week's podcast Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule pick out some of the key ideas. Plus, is the UK housing market showing signs of life? Subscribe to Handelsbanken Insights wherever you're listening and please leave us a review.

Rises in bond yields across the UK, France and the US among other countries, have sparked concerns among economists, with some yields reaching generational highs. What's driving the movement and what could governments do to bring the exuberance under control? Plus, the UK's economic data is nonetheless looking slightly more upbeat - why is that and will it last? And as we wait to see if the government will move the threshold on its proposed "mansion tax", the team looks at how that and changes to inheritance tax could disproportionately hit families in certain parts of the UK. All on our regular podcast with Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule . Please leave us a review and let us know your thoughts on this week's topics.

On this week's podcast with Sonia Rothwell and James Sproule . The UK gets a mixed scorecard on growth prospects from the OECD – is it a fair assessment? With the UK budget only a month away, pressure is mounting on Chancellor John Healey as the economic data is showing good and bad news. What should he pay most attention to? And home ownership has long been the dream of many – we’ll look at data which shows that lenders are offering higher levels of loans, a trend that started just after the global financial crisis.

The Bank of England held base rate as predicted so thoughts now turn to what its next move will be. In this week's podcast with Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule , the team discusses what is likely to shape November's decision. Plus, the bank also announced a surprise change to its regular quantitative tightening activity. Jame s explains what that was and what it means. And how has the UK suddenly become more productive? Listen now to find out.

Daniel Mahoney , James Sproule and Johan Löf talk about the cautiously positive thinking behind the latest Global Macro Forecast , our flagship research report which is published three times per year. Download and read it here. Do you agree with the outlook analysis?

Our weekly podcast is back for the autumn. Since our last episode the UK has gained a new prime minister and new chancellor but some problems haven't changed much since July. In this week's opening episode, James Sproule and Daniel Mahoney look at the current issues heating up global bond markets. They also turn their attention to commercial property where higher gilt yields have squeezed the premium commercial property typically enjoys over them. What could happen next to valuations and yields? 🎧 Listen in to find out.

As we get ready to put away the microphones until September, there's just time to look ahead to the Bank of England's interest rate decision on July 30, and dig into what's happening in the US economy - why does it seem to be defying economic gravity? Plus, what is happening with AI stocks and why? With Daniel Mahoney, Cameron Willard and Johan Löf . Subscribe where you're listening to get our first podcast of the new season, out on September 7.

As Andy Burnham is confirmed as the new UK prime minister, Sonia Rothwell and Daniel Mahoney pick out some of the areas of economic stress that await in the Downing St in-tray. As the Middle East ceasefire appears to have collapsed, how is it feeding into markets? And could AI be a blessing or challenge for the new PM as he pledges to fix the economy? All in under 15 minutes. Why not leave us a review wherever you're listening?

In this week's podcast, Daniel Mahoney and James Sproule gauge the economic impact of the latest escalation between Iran, the US and Israel. Plus, James talks about the OBR's view of what the UK economy could look like 50 years in the future. And is the UK becoming more or less unequal? Listen in to find out.

A new dawn is imminent in Westminster, so Sonia Rothwell and James Sproule discuss some of the ideas being floated by the man expected to become the UK's next prime minister, Andy Burnham. And the Bank of England’s influential decision-makers panel reported last week – what’s keeping the UK’s CFOs awake at night? And in our regular property segment, as 10-year gilt yields are raised, what’s the long-term impact on property returns? Please subscribe wherever you're listening.

On a special spotlight edition of the podcast this week, we're looking at how the spike in oil prices has affected central banks' plans for interest rates. Join Daniel Mahoney and Johan Löf as they look at which signals central banks are listening to as they plot the path of base rates. Why not share this episode on social media or rate us wherever you're listening?

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. Why not leave us a review wherever you're listening, to help other people find out about us?

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. We'd love to hear what you think, why not leave us a comment? 💡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? We'd love to hear what you think, why not rate us and leave a comment? 💡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. Subscribe where you're listening, and why not leave us a review too? 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. Why not share this episode on social media and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts? 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