What's going on?

It�s nice when the Bank Of England (BoE) shows you it cares: the central bank announced on Thursday it�d pump an extra $195 billion into the UK economy.

What does this mean?

The BoE agreed to buy a fresh round of government bonds, which makes this the fourth time since March that it�s flooded the UK economy with cash to give it a boost. And it might not be done yet: the central bank said it�ll take even more action if it needs to.

The announcement came as the BoE lowered its economic growth estimate for the UK: it�s now expecting the economy to shrink 2% this quarter, down from the 5.4% growth it predicted in August. That probably has something to do with the country�s imminent four-week lockdown, but Brexit � yep, Brexit�s still happening � isn�t exactly helping: the BoE warned that unless businesses start preparing, the economy will take another hit next quarter.

Why should I care?

Zooming in: Jobs jobs jobs.

The UK�s mounting job losses � 2,600 more of which�came from�Lloyds bank and department store chain John Lewis on Thursday � likely influenced the BoE�s decision too. But the BoE might be hoping its new bond-buying measures will help stem the tide: the more money it introduces into the economy, after all, the further the cost of borrowing will fall � which should in theory, help businesses keep ticking along with their workforces intact.

The bigger picture: It�s the economy, stupid.

With the US election still hanging in the balance, America�s central bank opted not to make policy changes at its own meeting on Thursday. It�s previously said it would do whatever it took to help the economy, but that government�action was a quicker way to put cash in people�s hands. Uh, about that: the government couldn�t agree on a support package before Tuesday�s election, and it�s anyone�s guess when it ever will.