Weak UK data, domestic political uncertainty and a trade truce between the US and Mexico saw the pound US dollar exchange rate drop to at low of US$1.2655. This is the lowest that the pair has traded at in a week. The pair is flat in early trade on Tuesday.
| 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 = 1.28934 USD Here, £1 is equivalent to approximately $1.29. This specifically measures the pound’s worth against the dollar. If the US dollar amount increases in this pairing, it’s positive for the pound. Or, if you were looking at it the other way around: 1 USD = 0.77786 GBP In this example, $1 is equivalent to approximately £0.78. This measures the US dollar’s worth versus the British pound. If the sterling number gets larger, it’s good news for the dollar. |
Dismal UK economic data sent the pound tumbling in early trade on Monday. Amid a slew of disappointing statistics, the monthly GDP stood out as the worst. The UK economy slowed by -0.4% month on month in May, significantly lower than the -0.1% decline that analysts had forecast. This is the second straight month of contraction.
The weak data highlights the impact of trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty on the UK economy. Businesses are not investing, and decisions are being put off amid growing uncertainty. The slowdown in the economy was also evident in manufacturing and industrial production data, which showed declines.
The pound could come under further pressure today as investors look to the UK jobs data. Whilst analysts forecast that unemployment will remain at 3.8%, a multi decade low, average wages are expected to drop. This would be the latest piece of evidence pointing to a slowing UK economy.
| How does strong jobs data boost the currency? |
|---|
| It works like this, when there is low unemployment and high job creation, the demand for workers increases. As demand for workers goes up, wages for those workers also go up. Which means the workers are now taking home more money to spend on cars, houses or in the shops. As a result, demand for goods and services also increase, pushing the prices of the goods and services higher. That’s also known as inflation. When inflation moves higher, central banks are more likely to raise interest rates, which then pushes the worth of the currency higher. |
All the weak economic data is arriving to a backdrop of political uncertainty. The Tory leadership battle has officially started and the line up in strong in pro-Brexit candidates. This ds on Monday after falling across much of the previous week. Market participants are expecting the Federal Reserve to cut rates in the coming months. This hit demand for the dollar over the past week. However, on Monday, investors were prepared to focus on the US — Mexico trade truce instead.
Mexico agreeing to increase border security, placated President Trump sufficiently for him to call off the trade tariffs threat. Thpoints to a growing probability of a hard, no deal Brexit; the least favourable Brexit for the pound.
Will US PPI Pull Dollar Lower?
The dollar charged northwaris is good news for trade and the global economy, which sent the dollar higher.
Today investors will look towards US PPI figures. A weak reading for inflation at wholesale level could see the dollar pare today’s gains. Weak inflation could raise the market expectation of a Fed cut sooner rather than later, hitting demand for the dollar.
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Inc., Currency Live or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date. Consult our risk warning page for more details.
This article was initially published on TransferWise.com from the same author. The content at Currency Live is the sole opinion of the authors and in no way reflects the views of TransferWise Inc.
