GBP/EUR – 1.1491
Consumer Price Index data from the UK, which gives an indication as to the current level of inflation, came in marginally worse than expected yesterday. This impacted on sterling’s performance as traders hedged their bets in the run up to the today’s publication of the minutes from Governor Mark Carney’s inaugural Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. Inflation has an important impact on performance as higher inflation should deter the MPC from further quantitative easing, which would devalue the currency, whilst lower inflation data would be seen as giving decision makers the go-ahead for increased asset-buying. The sterling dollar rate fluctuated throughout the day as both currencies reacted to negative stimuli, whilst sterling weakened steadily against the euro throughout the day. All eyes will be on the Bank of England report released this morning as we wait to see which way Carney and the other members voted on further quantitative easing. Call in now to track market reaction to the minutes and to get a live rate.
The euro performed surprisingly well yesterday despite German economic sentiment proving to be worse than forecast. As sterling and the US dollar falter ahead of today’s events, the single currency made steady progress yesterday and improved its position against both currencies. Events in the UK and the US are likely to steal the limelight today and will likely play a much greater role on influencing the relative strength on the euro as opposed to the data emanating from Europe in the short term although we do have a key vote in Greece on further government cuts to public expenditure. The only significant data release will be the German 10-year bond auction held today. Call in now to see how the seventeen-nation currency reacts.
