GBP/EUR: Eurozone Inflation Into Focus As Italy Fears Abate

Strong eurozone economic data and signs of progress in Italy’s political turmoil helped lift the euro on Wednesday. As a result, the pound euro exchange rate dropped heavily, giving back the gains from earlier in the week. The exchange rate declined over 100 points, taking the rate to a low of €1.1392.

What do these figures mean?

When measuring the value of a pair of currencies, one set equals 1 unit and the other shows the current equivalent. As the market moves, the amount will vary from minute to minute.

For example, it could be written: 1 GBP = 1.13990 EUR

Here, £1 is equivalent to approximately €1.14. This specifically measures the pound’s worth against the euro. If the euro amount increases in this pairing, it’s positive for the pound.

Or, if you were looking at it the other way around: 1 EUR = 0.87271 GBP

In this example, €1 is equivalent to approximately £0.87. This measures the euro’s worth versus the British pound. If the sterling number gets larger, it’s good news for the euro.

Data coming from the UK continues to be less than encouraging. This week has been particularly quiet as far as UK economic data is concerned. In the previous session investors focused on a decline in shop prices presented in data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). According to the BRC shop prices fell by 1.1% year on year in May, the largest decline since January 2017. Meanwhile prices of non-food products slid 2.5%. Whilst this is good news for the UK consumer, who will slowly start to feel an easing of pressure on their purses, this is bad news for the prospects of an interest rate rise by the Bank of England (BoE).

Falling shop prices indicates that inflation is declining. The central bank is less likely to hikes interest rates when inflation is falling. As the prospects of a rate hike were pushed yet further into the future, the pound depreciated.

Why do raised interest rates boost a currency’s value?
Interest rates are key to understanding exchange rate movements. Those who have large sums of money to invest want the highest return on their investments. Higher interest rate environments tend to offer higher yields. So, if the interest rate or at least the interest rate expectation of a country is relatively higher compared to another, then it attracts more foreign capital investment. Large corporations and investors need local currency to invest. More local currency used then boosts the demand of that currency, pushing the value higher.

Demand for the pound could come under more pressure today as investors look towards the release of UK net consumer credit data. An increase in household debt is unlikely to convince the BoE that the economy is ready for another interest rate hike.

Eurozone Inflation In Focus

The euro was back in favour on Wednesday, as investors grew optimistic of the two Italian populist parties forming a coalition to prevent a snap election. Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella triggered the sell off in the euro earlier in the week by blocking the appointment of a Eurosceptic finance minister. He also triggered the recovery in the previous session by holding informal talks with both the League and the 5 Star Movement, in an attempt to broker a deal between them to avoid a destabilising national election.

Provided there is less chaos in Italy, euro investors will turn their attention towards Eurozone inflation data. Analysts are expecting inflation to have picked up slightly for the bloc in April. Should this be the case, the euro could continue the rally from the previous session.


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