• Federal Reserve Hikes Cash Rate
• GBP Softens despite Positive Retail Sales
• ECB Highlight Downside Risks to Eurozone Growth
• US Dollar Little Changed after FOMC Decision
GBP/EUR – Pound Down Despite Better-than-Forecast British Retail Sales Growth
The Pound Sterling to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate rallied by around 0.9% on Wednesday to trend in the region of 1.3650 despite less-than-ideal domestic data. Of particular disappointment was the final figure for third-quarter British Gross Domestic Product which came in at 2.1% on the year; missing the median market forecast 2.3% growth. The data wasn’t enough to prevent a Sterling uptrend, however, given that UK growth is still considered robust. In addition, traders have been readjusting Sterling positions after the Pound dropped considerably yesterday following public sector spending data which showed the UK government borrowed much more than anticipated. Further GBP/EUR movement is likely to be limited until markets reopen after Christmas.
GBP/USD – ‘Cable’ Softens after FOMC Hikes the Cash Rate
The Pound Sterling to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate continues to hold a weak position but advanced by around 0.5% on Wednesday to trend in the region of 1.4892.
US economic data produced a mixed-bag of results erring towards positivity on Wednesday. Of particular significance was November’s Durable Goods Orders which saw 0.0% growth, avoiding the median market forecast -0.6% decline. Additionally, Core Personal Consumption Expenditure equalled the market consensus of 1.3%. The US asset advanced against all rivals but the Pound following this data, although the GBP/USD exchange rate is still holding a comparatively weak position in the wake of the first Federal Reserve benchmark interest rate hike in nearly 10 years.
USD/GBP – Trending Higher on Policy Divergence
The US Dollar to Pound Sterling (USD/GBP) exchange rate was trending within the range of 0.6712 to 0.6747 during Thursday’s European session.
Whilst forthcoming US data has the potential to shake things up for the GBP/USD exchange rate, the Pound is likely to hold daily gains. Thursday could see modest volatility with UK BBA Loans for House Purchase due for publication. US Initial Jobless Claims and Continuing Claims data also have the potential to provoke changes for the US Dollar, especially with thin trading volumes causing heightened market volatility.
EUR/USD – Euro Softens after German IFO Data Disappoints
The Euro to US Dollar (EUR/USD) exchange rate declined by around -0.4% to trend in the region of 1.0901 during Wednesday’s European session.
Wednesday’s European economic data produced poor results, causing the single currency to decline versus a number of its currency peers. Aiding the depreciation is US Dollar strength thanks to negative EUR/USD correlation. On the year, French Gross Domestic Product failed to meet with forecasts for 1.2% growth, with the actual result only seeing 1.1% economic expansion in the third-quarter. With a complete absence of further domestic data for the reminder of the week there is a high chance that the common currency will hold a weak position as we head into the Christmas break.