[https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/17/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html](https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/17/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html) >"Unnerved by surging prices, the Bank of England on Thursday became the first major central bank to hike interest rates since the pandemic began. The US Federal Reserve will follow in the coming months, with three rate hikes expected next year."