0636 GMT - Inflation remaining unchanged in May will almost certainly mean no interest-rate rise on Thursday from the Bank of England, Joe Nellis at MHA says in a note. Annual inflation was 2.8% in May, in line with the prior month and below forecasts. "The Bank is continuing to hold their nerve, as they monitor the difficult, ongoing trade-off between keeping inflation under control and avoiding further damage to an economy," Nellis says. The BOE may not have to raise rates at all this year, with inflation likely to stay below 4% if peace holds in the Middle East. Still, inflation is likely to edge higher over coming months, even if Middle East tensions are resolved quickly, Nellis adds. (don.forbes@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 17, 2026 02:36 ET (06:36 GMT)

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