Ollie Smith, Morningstar Journalist Profile

Articles

Alastair Campbell at MIC UK: Tariffs Are No Excuse for Chancellor Rachel Reeves

5 days ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

A full transcript for this video will be available shortly. The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar's editorial policies.
Bank of England Cuts Rates Again Amid Tariff Disruption

6 days ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

Tariffs imposed by the US government were at the heart of the decision, the MPC said today, but there is “ambiguity” over the impact on inflation. “These trade policy developments were likely to reduce UK activity, and to create further risks to the downside,” it said. “The impact on UK inflation was more ambiguous at this stage. The baseline expectation was that these developments would push down slightly on inflation over the forecast period.
Will UK House Prices Fall or Rise in 2025?

1 week ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

According to the latest Nationwide House Price Index data, the annual rate of house price growth slowed to 3.4% in April, down from 3.9% in March. Month on month, house prices are down 0.6%. The UK’s housing market is at a crossroads. On May 8, traders and investors expect interest rates to fall, which would logically stimulate demand with cheaper borrowing in prospect. Some lenders are already offering attractive sub-4% deals to prospective buyers in a bid to gain custom.
Can the Cash ISA Survive the 2025 Autumn Budget?

1 week ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

“Consumer confidence was low in the first quarter of the year as households got to grips with the implications of Rachel Reeves’ ‘painful’ Budget in October last year,” says Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest.
Can the Cash ISA Survive the 2025 Autumn Budget?

1 week ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

Cash ISAs attracted £4.2 billion in deposits in March, a 31% increase on the same month in 2024, as savers braced for global economic uncertainty and factored in rumors the ISA allowance could soon be slashed. According to fresh data from the Bank of England, £7.4 billion was deposited into bank and building society accounts in March, an increase on a previous uplift in February. Cash ISA deposits made up most of the inflows. This came ahead of the equity market volatility in April.
Will UK Mortgage Rates Fall Further in 2025?

1 week ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

Interest rate swaps data currently shows traders unanimously expect an interest-rate cut from the Bank of England when its monetary policy committee (MPC) meets next Wednesday—amid significant feared global economic disruption from the Trump administration’s program of tariffs. The BoE’s decision will be announced on Thursday at noon. Until then, rates sit at 4.5%. Stamp Duty Holiday Ends, Price Growth DipsThe expectation of falling rates is not the only reason lenders are on maneuvers, however.
HT PK02 Carbon Pedals

2 weeks ago | road.cc | Ollie Smith

VERDICT: 10 High quality, a very low weight, a super-low price and a performance to rival the likes of Look and Shimano Amazing value Very light Solid engagementQuality cleats Bearings show no signs of play Quite stiff engagement No long axle option At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective.
Will the Bank of England Cut Interest Rates in May?

2 weeks ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

“Homebuilders and utility stocks will be outsize beneficiaries of falling interest rates,” says Michael Field, chief European market strategist at Morningstar. “For the former, lower borrowing costs should stimulate demand from buyers. For utilities, it’s a double whammy of lower debt interest payments, while their share prices could also attract the attention of dividend-hungry investors, with dividends suddenly looking even more attractive compared with bonds.
Review: Quoc M3 Pro

2 weeks ago | road.cc | Ollie Smith

VERDICT: 10 High-performance shoes that blend comfort, performance and aesthetics Great aesthetics Light weight Competitive price (relative!) Multiple arch support inserts included TPU upper cleans up brilliantly Boa dials only micro-adjustable in one direction Tongueless upper design may cause a tiny bit of rubbing No half sizes Same last as the M3 Air, which some might find them too narrow Heel pads on ours kept coming loose At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it...
As Trump Snipes at the Federal Reserve, Can the Bank of England Stay Independent?

3 weeks ago | morningstar.co.uk | Ollie Smith

In the US, stock prices slid downward as negative sentiment about the knock-on effects of US politics on the stability of a 112-year-old institution dominated trading. Trump has since partially retracted his comments, telling reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday he had “no intention” of sacking Powell, whose formal tenure ends in May 2026. US stocks rose as a result.