GBP/EUR: Pound Hovers At 6 Month Low On Brexit Fears

No deal Brexit fear sent the pound tanking versus the euro on Tuesday. The pound euro exchange rate plummeted to a low of €1.1053. This is the lowest level that the pair has traded at since January. The pound euro exchange rate was a few points higher in early trade on Wednesday.

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. 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 GBPIn 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.

The pound tumbled in the previous session despite data showing that UK wages grew at the fastest pace in 11 years. The UK jobs report was solid. Unemployment remained steady at multi-decade lows of 3.8%. Wage growth increased 3.6% annually in the three months to May, this was the strongest level of growth since 2007. The UK labour market continues to show resilience despite the UK heading towards Brexit in just a few months’ time. Usually strong jobs data would send the pound soaring.

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.

However, pound investors were growing too concerned over the potential outcome of Brexit to cheer strong jobs data. Both remaining candidates in the Conservative leadership race, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt hardened their stance on Brexit. The pound tanked as both candidates opposed the Irish backstop. With the EU unwilling to renegotiate, the only alternatives are no deal Brexit, or no Brexit. Brexit negotiations will become more hostile under the next Prime Minister. A no deal Brexit is looking increasingly more likely.

Today investors will turn some attention towards UK inflation data. Analysts predict that UK inflation remained steady in June at 2%. Analysts forecast that core inflation, which excludes more volatile items such as food and food will increase to 1.8% up from 1.7%. Under normal circumstances this would lift the pound, currently Brexit fears are dominating.

Will Eurozone Inflation Drag The Euro Lower?

The euro moved higher versus the pound, however traded lower versus other peers after views on the German economy darkened once again in May. The German ZEW sentiment index dropped to -24.5, worse than the -22 that analysts had been expecting. Factors such as Brexit and the ongoing US — Sino trade dispute which are negatively affecting incoming orders in German industry. The gloomy outlook weighed on demand for the euro.

Why does poor economic data drag on a country’s currency?
Slowing economic indicators point to a slowing economy. Weak economies have weaker currencies because institutions look to reduce investments in countries where growth prospects are low and then transfer money to countries with higher growth prospects. These institutions sell out of their investment and the local currency, thus increasing the supply of the currency and pushing down the money’s worth. So, when a country or region has poor economic news, the value of the currency tends to fall.

Today the euro could come under pressure as investors look towards eurozone inflation figures. The eurozone has been suffering from stagnant inflation. Analysts are expecting today’s inflation data to show that inflation remained subdued at 1.2%. This is well below the ECB’s 2% target and could serve to encourage the ECB to loosen policy when they meet next week.



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