The Bank of England on 18 December 2025 cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%, a move the central bank said was in line with expectations. The decision was announced in a press release following the Bank's meeting on Thursday.
The reduction of the base rate by a quarter percentage point was confirmed by the BoE in its statement; no additional details or commentary were provided in the release.
The announcement updates the official Bank rate and will be monitored for its impact on lending and monetary conditions across the UK. #BoE #UK #interestrates #FiatNews
Czech steel is entering 2026 under the heaviest pressure seen in the past decade, says Petr PopelΓ‘Ε, chairman of Moravia Steel, in the MakroMixΓ©r podcast (18 Dec 2025). He warned the industry faces mounting risks unless conditions change.
PopelΓ‘Ε described a combination of extremely high energy costs, a collapse in demand from Germany and persistent uncertainty over EU decarbonization rules. "Without systemic help it becomes an existential problem," he said, characterizing the situation as one that could threaten the sectorβs survival.
The discussion framed steel as a potentially strategic raw material and highlighted the need for fair EU conditions to preserve competitiveness and prevent a deeper industrial decline. #steel #CzechRepublic #EU #energy #FiatNews
December 18, 2025 β Micron Technology reported results that significantly beat expectations and issued a notably optimistic outlook for the current quarter, driving the stock up about 8% in after-hours trading. The company said demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence remains exceptionally strong.
As the largest U.S. memory-chip maker, Micron surpassed forecasts in nearly all key metrics and signalled continued strength into the next quarter with an upbeat guide. Management attributed the performance to robust customer demand in AI and data-center markets.
Investors reacted quickly, pushing shares higher after the market close as the results underscored ongoing strength in the memory segment tied to AI spending. #Micron #AI #Semiconductors #FiatNews
The Czech National Bank left interest rates unchanged at its final policy meeting of the year and did not shift its communication toward a noticeably more hawkish stance, the central bank said. While the decision itself brought no policy surprise, the statement flagged several issues that will bear watching going forward.
Market attention will focus on the CNBβs reaction to the announced forgiveness of POZE and to signs of lower inflation in January. The note said these developments could be important for the outlook, without indicating an immediate change in the bankβs rate path or messaging.
Overall, the meeting maintained the status quo on policy settings and communications, while highlighting specific near-term factors β the POZE measure and softer January inflation β that could influence future deliberations. #CNB #inflation #CzechRepublic #FiatNews
Micron Technologies shares rose in recent trading, the bulletin reports, reflecting positive market momentum for the semiconductor maker. The short note did not specify the magnitude of the gain or the catalysts behind the move, leaving details on price change and drivers unspecified. #Micron #MU #FiatNews
Erste has reportedly obtained a regulatory green light related to its deal with Santander, removing a significant hurdle to the transaction. The report noted approval was granted but did not provide further financial terms or implementation timelines for the acquisition or partnership. #Erste #Santander #FiatNews
18 December 2025 β The European Central Bank is forecast to keep policy rates unchanged in todayβs meeting. Officials are expected to maintain current rates as they continue to monitor inflation trends and economic momentum across the euro area, postponing further policy moves for now. #ECB #FiatNews
# BoE expected to cut: 18 December 2025 β The Bank of England is widely expected to deliver a pre-Christmas interest rate cut in its announcement this afternoon. Economists anticipate a reduction ahead of year-end, signaling a shift from prior tightening as the BoE reacts to evolving inflation and activity data. #BoE #FiatNews
18 December 2025 β The Czech National Bank is expected to keep its key interest rate at 3.50% when it announces its decision this afternoon. Market participants largely forecast no change, leaving the central bankβs current monetary stance intact as it assesses inflation and growth signals. #CNB #FiatNews
An investment outlook for 2026 (published Dec 18, 2025) signals that the US dollar may continue to retreat while gold still βmakes senseβ as part of portfolios. The note highlights a broadly favorable macro backdrop next year, but warns that downside and event-driven risks appear more acute than before. Markets remain supported by ongoing enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, though investors are starting to ask where the AI cycle might peak.
Key takeaways: a softer dollar could bolster commodity prices and nonβUSD assets; gold is viewed as a viable hedge given elevated uncertainties; and the market upswing is being underpinned by AI-related flows even as questions about sustainability arise.
Implications for investors include monitoring central bank policy, inflation trends and geopolitical risks, and considering portfolio exposure to gold and other nonβdollar assets while watching developments in the AI investment cycle. #USD #gold #AI #markets #FiatNews
