currecncy insight

PM Boris Johnson cautious on lockdown easing

Boris Johnson reiterated that he wants the current lockdown to be last with easing restrictions being gradual, starting with schools reopening from 8 March. He is scheduled to set out a roadmap out of lockdown for England next Monday, 22 February.
currecncy insight

UK economy shrank by 9.9% in 2020 but recovery signs in Q4

UK economy shrank by 9.% in 2020 but the British economy grew by 1.0% in Q4 despite the lockdown. The US Dollar is still under pressure with retail sales, housing market data and consumer price inflation data due this week...
currecncy insight

UK economy suffers 9.9% slump

UK economy shrank by a record 9.9% last year as COVID-19 restrictions hit output. However, December saw the economy grow by 1.2% beating forecasts of 1%. The UK has vaccinated more people than other European countries so far, raising the prospect of a rebound for its economy later this year.
currecncy insight

Sterling advances as negative interest rate fears ebb

The Pound is having a pretty good time of it as the perception of the likelihood of negative UK interest rates subsides and the roll-out of the covid vaccine continues to impress. Australian inflation expectations rise to boost Aussie Dollar. GBPAUD dropped the best part of a cent to this morning’s A$1.7870...
currecncy insight

CPI expected to hit 1.5%

The only noteworthy economic data release today is US CPI inflation for January. Meanwhile Pound Sterling has risen above USD 1.38 for the first time in nearly three years.
currecncy insight

Sterling gets a retail sales boost

Sterling strengthens a little this morning following the release of the retail sales monitor which shows a 7.1% rise in sales in the year to January. The US Dollar was weakened by doubts over the pace of the US economic recovery and by a rise in oil prices...
currecncy insight

Lagarde and Bailey to speak today

GBPEUR hovering around €1.14 pending speeches from the heads of the Bank of England (BOE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) today. Friday’s US employment report disappoints, with 49,000 new jobs created in January, but total workforce and unemployment rates in decline...
currecncy insight

BOE sees rapid rebound and GBP rises – more from BOE today

Pound had a stellar day yesterday after the Bank of England kept the base rate on hold but signalled they were ready for a rapid expansion of the UK economy. The rise in the number of vaccinations and the slowdown in new cases has helped fuel the re-emergent confidence in the Pound...
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Sterling slips ahead of BOE

The Pound took a stumble yesterday due to stronger US Dollar but is still within recent ranges though ahead of the Bank of England’s proclamations due at lunchtime today. No one expects the Bank to move the base rate although there is scope for ...
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Markets cheer robust US stimulus, tech earnings & vaccine news

currecncy insight

Pound supported by promise of no tax hikes….yet

The manufacturing sector purchasing managers are surprisingly optimistic in the EU, UK, Switzerland and the US. UK house prices showed a 6.4% increase in the year to January and Consumer spending is down in Germany, and that caused a flurry of Euro selling...
currecncy insight

Sterling still hitting ceilings

Sterling starts this new, small but beautifully formed month hitting ceilings in the GBPUSD and GBPEUR rates. The GBPUSD rate is trapped below $1.3750, a level it has been testing since 27th January. Like the GBPEUR rate, the lows are...
currecncy insight

Mixed EU GDP data awaited

US Dollar weakness after GDP growth was in line with expectations, Japan’s industrial production contracted with a 1.6% drop and this afternoon brings Canada’s GDP growth figures, with anticipated monthly growth rate of 0.4%...
currecncy insight

USD finds some buyers

The slowdown in the rise in global stock markets causes investors to pause as US Federal Reserve Chairman takes cautious approach. Eurozone and US have important data due today...
currecncy insight

Sterling testing fresh highs

Great British Pound continues to surprise testing $1.3750 and EUR 1.13s yesterday and is stronger against the AUD, NZD and CAD. US Federal Reserve announces their plans for US money supply later today with Jerome Powell likely to...
currecncy insight

President Biden’s fiscal package leaves currency markets vulnerable

Markets are vulnerable this morning reflecting concerns about whether President Biden’s fiscal stimulus package will be able to pass through Congress.
currecncy insight

Sterling pauses but further gains seem likely

Friday saw Sterling drop a little on worse than forecast data but the pounds looking brighter this morning, USD awaits Wednesday's Federal Reserve statement and GBPAUD is in a more identifiable upward trend...
winners Feefo awards

Halo Financial Awarded Feefo Platinum Trusted Service for A Second Year

Halo Financial is proud to announce that we have, once again, received the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award for a second year running in January 2021. Our two Platinum Service Awards follow five consecutive years of receiving the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award.