It’s all about inflation as UK CPI hits another 40-year high

On this week’s Money and Markets, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson brave the heat not only of the UK weather, but UK inflation too. With CPI coming in over expectation at 9.4%, they sum up how markets are reacting, and discuss where interest rates could sit by the end of the year. With rising costs causing issues for companies, they also dig into a new report showing a 66% increase in profit warnings from UK listed companies in the first half of 2022 – including Direct Line and Made.com. Earnings season is in full swing, and inflation’s colouring everything from the big GSK spin-off Haleon to another dip in subscriber numbers for Netflix – though with its fall smaller than expected, investors were pleasantly surprised. Also, employee pay is the only game in town – with warnings that a summer of discontent is on the cards, as more unions ballot on strike action. Plus, commercial property is meant to be one of the ultimate inflation-protected investments – meaning lots of investors might be thinking about diving into the market at the moment. Laura caught up with Roger Clarke, from property stock exchange IPSX, to see how the market has rebounded post pandemic and whether that inflation-protection is going to hold true in the coming year.