Focus was on the Bank of Japan this week as they met to discuss interest rate and monetary policy. As expected, they decided to keep their short term interest rate unchanged at 0%-1%.

Inflation data was the key focus of attention for UK investors this week. Year on year, the consumer price index rose by 3.2%.

Eyes were focussed on US economic data releases this week, with little coming out of the UK. There was positive news for the US economy with the release of manufacturing data to March.

After the flurry of central bank activity last week, the economic calendar has been a little more sedate. In the UK there has been little data to breakdown

This week was one of central bank domination. First up we had the Bank of Japan who, after eight years of negative rates, hiked their short term interest rate from -0.1% to a range of 0%-0.1%.

UK economic data releases took a back seat in what was Budget week. In terms of the predictions for inflation and economic growth announced, it was pleasing to hear that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)