GBP/EUR is still staying healthy above 1.16, the highest it’s been since December 2022. This is mainly due to German states inflation cooling more than expected over the past month.
The last week was pretty volatile for markets- with traders now pricing in more BoE hikes this year (Expected to reach 5.5%) following inflation data showing no sign of cooling yet.
UK Retail Sales for April have surprisingly increased more than expected, with the non-food sector in particular showing growth of more than 1%. When comparing to March these figures are of course promising, but sales usually drop in March due to wetter weather.
At the edge of the abyss, the United States teeters on the precipice of financial ruin. Escalating interest rates, uncertain federal policies, and a fragile economy converge to pose a grave threat to its financial stability. The situation has seen seven American companies file for bankruptcy in less than 48 hours.
Federal Reserve members were divided yesterday at the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) minutes. The split of members thought ahead of their next interest rate decision in June.
The US Dollar has strengthened further overnight after a continued standoff in negotiations surrounding the debt ceiling in The States. The current debt limit is $31.4 Trillion and concerns have been raised that a recession could be looming large in The US if no agreement can be reached.
The pound slipped against a strengthening dollar on Wednesday and maintained its losses after Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey reiterated, he expected price pressures to ease, as soon as April.
Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference, Bailey said that if price pressures were to be more persistent, further tightening of policy may be required, but added there were signs the labour market was loosening a little.
The pound dropped a little this morning after a rise in Britain's jobless numbers suggested fewer Bank of England rate increases could be needed in the coming months to bring down inflation, helping the broad dollar index to push back towards Monday's five-week peak.
