
UK GDP better than forecast in January
BlogsThe UK economy only shrank by 2.9% in January, about half the market expectation. The pound was also hit by a drop in manufacturing production. The GBPUSD did test $1.40 again overnight but is back a half a cent down on that after the GDP and manufacturing data.

USD weaker on soft inflation
BlogsUS Dollar was the primary mover yesterday as USD weakens across the board. The OPEC report, initial jobless claims and job openings data are also out this afternoon which could also impact the USD, Sterling was boosted by a positive RICS report on the UK housing market. 52% of those surveyed see growth in house prices...

Sterling in Stasis
BlogsThis morning is a bit like Groundhog Day as far as the Pound is concerned. It’s as though Tuesday didn’t happen. GBPUSD is $1.3870. GBPEUR is just below yesterday’s €1.1690 and other GBP based rates are similarly frozen in time.

Very poor Japanese data knocks JPY
BlogsThe Sterling – Japanese Yen rate has been rising since September 2020, and it spiked again overnight when disappointing data emanated from Japan. The day ahead brings Eurozone GDP data. The forecasts suggest a contraction of 5% in the year to December, which would damage the euro. Despite a healthier German trade surplus, reported this morning, the GBPEUR rate starts...

US Treasury yields touch new highs
BlogsUS Treasury yields touched new highs for the year on Friday. US dollar moved sharply higher against the euro. BoE Governor Bailey’s speech today will be his first public comments since last week’s budget.

US Bond yields push USD higher
BlogsUS 10‑year Treasury yields increased above 1.5% yesterday following Fed Chair Powell’s comments. The ‘risk off’ tone added support for the US dollar, as sterling fell below $1.39 and the euro below $1.20. Today’s US monthly employment report will be closely watched as total employment is still nearly 10 million below pre‑pandemic levels...

Markets shrug off UK Budget
BlogsSterling to sink? Not under Sunak. The Chancellor surprised markets by announcing a "super deduction" for firms that would encourage investment. In the US, weekly initial jobless claims will provide insight on the state of the labour market ahead of tomorrow's monthly report...

Budget 2021 to be announced in Parliament today
BlogsRishi Sunak’s Budget will be announced at Parliament today - the furlough scheme will be extended until September protecting UK jobs but government borrowing will rise to £340bn to be paid back in the form of tax hikes. The ideal outcome for the pound is an economically expansive budget without talk of tax hikes to come; we’ll find out more at 12.30pm.

COVID-19: 20 million receive first jab in UK
BlogsIs the pound losing momentum against USD EUR? GBP has continued its fourth day of losses against the USD. Currency markets are cautious on sterling ahead of US stimulus and the UK’s annual budget

Sterling adopts a ‘risk on’ status
Blogs Key data this week will be US ISMs and non-farm payroll figures. Sterling has now adopted a ‘risk on’ status with HSBC suggesting Sterling may drop lower going forward. Today is all about manufacturing PMIs as the Eurozone, Germany, UK and the US will all see sentiment indexes...

Sterling dips against Euro and US dollar
BlogsSterling has slumped against the EUR and USD. Inflation will also be in focus in the US with the release of the consumer expenditure deflator for January and Bank of England Governor Bailey has strongly emphasised that, while the economic outlook is brightening, monetary policy will need to be supportive for a considerable period.

GBP/NZD under pressure
BlogsNZD was the main mover overnight as NZ finance minister announced a shift in housing policy. The pound had a great run over the last month – rallying up to 1.17, but it’s now turned over, we may see a continued correction down to 1.1400, so if you have any EUR requirements, it’ll be worth converting some now...

Sterling still breaking new highs
BlogsThe Pound made fresh highs overnight with GBP/USD spiking to just above $1.4200, the highest it has been since January 2016. Potential market movers today are speeches from the Bank of England governor, the second half of Jerome Powell’s testimony, US new home sales and US crude oil inventories.

Disappointing NZ retail sales shake Kiwi Dollar
BlogsIn overnight news, we hear that New Zealand’s consumers bought less in Q4 than had been forecast. The 2.7% decline in the last three months of 2020 was well below the markets’ expectations, and the NZ Dollar weakened. UK unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in December with average earnings rose by 4.1% in December, up from 3.6% in November.

GBPUSD probing above $1.40 for first time in 35 months
BlogsThe Sterling – US Dollar rate poked through $1.40 on Friday, and GBPEUR broke through €1.15 as the UK markets prepare to hear what the British Prime Minister has to say about re-opening the UK economy. Boris Johnson is due to speak in Parliament this afternoon, and...

Sterling has a stellar Thursday on vaccine pace
BlogsYesterday the Pound made a fresh 34 month high against the USD and reached the highest level against the Euro since the first Covid lockdown in March 2020. US weekly jobless data showed an unexpected jump in claims with the US Dollar coming under pressure against most currencies...

US retail sales leap above expectations
BlogsUS Retail Sales figures smashed all expectations with a leap of 5.3% in January, far above expectations. European Commission consumer confidence reading for February is expected to be unchanged from January at -15.5. Confidence actually fell last month, possibly due to reports that vaccine rollout in the EU has so far been disappointingly slow.

UK inflation up 0.7% on year
BlogsUK inflation, published 1st thing this morning, rose to 0.7% for the year to January, which improved the mood somewhat. So sterling’s slide abated around $1.3880. Canadian inflation data is due this afternoon. A reading of 1.4% on the year is most likely, and that will support the Canadian Dollar to some extent...