BoE keeps QE total unchanged

LONDON: The Bank of England surprised markets yesterday by keeping its quantitative easing program unchanged at 125 billion pounds, boosting speculation that it may soon finish its unprecedented asset-buying scheme.

But analysts said the central bank tends to make most big decisions in months when it publishes new quarterly economic forecasts, so it may still choose next month to add to the QE scheme, which aims to combat Britain's deep recession.

"This could be a pause, or it could represent a halt for the Bank of England's gilt purchases," said Stephen Lewis, economist at Monument Securities.