- Pound (GBP) rebounds as PM pushes back on lockdown
- Footfall falls in UK cities
- Euro (EUR) eases as lockdown restrictions weigh
- GFK German consumer confidence & EZ consumer confidence
The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is heading higher after steep losses in the previous session. The pair settled -0.56% on Monday at €1.1709 after falling as much as €1.1694 earlier in the session. At 05:45 UTC, GBP/EUR trades +0.23% at €1.1737.
The Pound fell in the previous session after data revealed that British business confidence is becoming strained as Omicron cases continue to rise, and prices increase. According to the Lloyds bank business survey, business confidence remained above 40% in the period November 26 – December 10. .
Adding to the negative mood towards the pound, data revealed that the number of shoppers on Britain’s high streets fell by 2.6% over the weekend. Meanwhile shopper numbers plummeted 8.5% in central London between Dec 18 -19 compared to the week before. As Omicron cases surge people are stating at home, which is bad news for the UK economy.
Looking ahead there is no high impacting UK data due to be released. Omicron headlines are likely to drive the market mood and the Pound. News that the British government will wait for more data on hospitalisations and deaths from Omicron before implementing further restrictions is helping to lift the pound.
The Euro pushed higher on Monday thanks to the weaker US Dollar, as investors shrugged off rising Omicron cases in Europe and the Netherlands going back into lockdown. Germany has also imposed tighter lockdown conditions and refuses to rule out a full-scale lockdown before Christmas.
Investors will be watching hospitalizations closely as this is likely to be the primary factor behind the decision for further restrictions.
Attention will now turn to the Eurozone economic calendar with the release of German GFK consumer confidence and Eurozone consumer confidence.
Analysts are expecting consumer morale to fall in January to -2.5, down from -1.6. This would mark the seventh straight month that consumer sentiment has fallen.
Eurozone consumer confidence is also expected to deteriorate to -8 in December, down from -6.8 in November.