EUR/GBP Rate & Comments for 22nd June 2010

EUR/GBP - 1.196

Sterling started yesterday strongly, rising to a 5 ½ week high against the US dollar of $1.4925/ £1 in early trading, but fell in late trading as traders became anxious over the effect of today’s budget. The pound strengthened after the People’s Bank of China announced overnight on Sunday that it would proceed with reform of the exchange rate ‘Peg’ (i.e. fixed rate) between the Chinese yuan and US dollar. In addition, data showed that house prices in London rose by 2.2% over the last month. This drove risk appetite and news on the yuan is expected to have a positive effect on US manufacturing, as Chinese goods become less competitive. Despite this, the key event this week is today’s emergency budget – the first of the new Coalition government. There is some anxiety over the pace at which the budget will seek to cut the deficit, as if it is too aggressive, growth could be stifled, whereas if the cuts are too lenient the deficit will not be addressed and the markets will lose confidence. If you have any requirements over the next few weeks – call in as soon as possible, because the pound could conceivably go either way against the US dollar and euro. It all depends on how the market reacts to the announcement.

In the Euro zone, there was no data out yesterday of any real importance. ECB Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet addressed the European Parliament. Probably the most interesting piece of information released yesterday was a report by Citigroup that amended their outlook for the euro from ‘negative’ to ‘neutral’ as the single currency closed above an important 2008 low of $1.2330/ 1 – signalling an important ‘technical’ recovery. Out today, we have data on the German business climate that is expected to show a small decline following the debt crisis. Get in touch now for a live exchange rate.

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