Have a look at our new FX Talk trailer. This podcast gives listeners a global perspective on the foreign exchange market.

Pound holds its ground after recent fall, markets await Trump’s presser

  • Back to all posts
  • Blog
    Blog|Currency Updates
    Blog|In The News
    Blog|International Trade
    Charities & NGOs
    Currency Updates
    Currency Updates|In The News
    In The News
    In The News|Press
    International Trade
    Press
  • Latest

11 January 2017

Written by
Lucie Pankova

Global Marketing Executive at Ebury, Masters in Management Graduate from Cass Business School, London.

After a heavy sell-off that resulted in Sterling losing 1.8% of its value against the US Dollar in just two days, speculators finally seemed to give the Pound a badly needed break. After the strong reaction it is clear that political developments will be the key to the currency’s future movement.

I
nvestors are still expectant for comments from the president-elect, whose inauguration will take place on 20th January. Today Donald Trump will held a general news conference, which will be the first since he won the election in November. His previous speeches and recent social-media communication suggest that he is focusing on strengthening the American job market and working on improving US-Russia relations. Markets will watch closely for details on tax cuts and infrastructure spending.

Major currencies in detail

GBP

The Pound ended the day unchanged against the greenback during London trading.

In the absence of any major macroeconomic releases markets were focused on Brexit developments. This time however, the news wasn’t all bad. Think-tank ‘British Influence’ argues that Britain being a member of European Economic Area is independent of being a member of the European Union. Deputy director Jonathan Lis said that if the government decides to leave the EEA, Article 127 of the EEA Agreement would need to be triggered. A hearing on this case should begin in High Court of London next week on Friday.

Today’s Manufacturing Production and the Trade Balance data for November are the most important informations from the UK.

EUR

Euro ended Tuesday’s session 0.4% lower against the US Dollar.

Tuesday was quite calm for the Euro which didn’t move much in absence of critical market information. After peaking during an Asian session the common currency bears prevailed and Euro ended the European session lower versus the US Dollar and Sterling, in a move that gained momentum after European traders came in.

In the absence of important publications from the Eurozone the focus will be on developments in the United States.

USD

The US Dollar Index higher by 0.1% on Tuesday.

Macroeconomic data published on Tuesday was fairly mixed, but as a whole added to the tone of recent job-market strength. Closely watched indicator due to its importance to FED, which is Job Openings was little changed at 5.522 million, however below the consensus’ prediction of 5.555 million. Last month’s number was revised downwards to 5.451 million from 5.534 million. A very important positive aspect was the increase in the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs, a sign of increasing worker confidence on their prospects on the labor market.

Today’s Donald Trump’s news conference will be the key focus for markets.

SHARE