- Pound (GBP) resumes uptrend
- UK Halifax house price data due
- Euro (EUR) pressurized after German factory order & EZ retail sales disappoint
- ECB minutes to be released
The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is heading higher after booking mild losses in the previous session. The pair settled -0.02% lower on Wednesday at €1.1747 after moving as high as €1.1775 earlier in the session. At 05:45 UTC, GBP/EUR trades +0.08% at €1.1757.
The Pound continued to show resilience despite further evidence of shortages and surging prices hitting the economy. Supply chain disruptions and labour shortages have slammed the brakes on the recovery in the construction sector in September. The IHS/CIPS Construction PMI fell to an eight-month low of 52.6 in September down from 55.2 in August.
The survey showed that activity slowed across housebuilding, commercial and civil engineering sectors. Cost inputs rose steeply in September.
The UK economic calendar is quiet today with just Halifax house price data due for release. A broad risk on mood in the market could also help under pin the Pound.
The Euro came under pressure in the previous session after data indicated that the economic recovery in Germany was under threat. German factory orders fell sharply by -7.7% in August compared to the previous month. The drop in order came following a 4.6% gain in June and a 4.9% gain in July. The slowdown in factory orders come amid ongoing supply chain issues.
Separately Eurozone retail sales growth also disappointed suggesting that the consumer led rebound in the bloc could be starting to fizzle out. Eurozone retail sales grew just 0.3% month on month in August after falling -2.6% in July. However analysts had been expecting growth of 0.8%. The slowdown in retail sales comes as inflation remains stubbornly elevated. Higher prices are deterring consumers which is threatening the consumer led recovery.
Looking ahead investors will focus on German industrial production and the release of the minutes from the European Central Bank meeting.
