GBP/USD: Pound Steady vs. Dollar Ahead of UK Budget

The pound-euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate fell on Friday and fell across the week to settle at 1.1545.

The pound fell across the week despite hotter inflation and stronger PMI data, suggesting that investors are concerned over the outlook for the UK economy.

The BoE is not expected to cut rates until February next year but may be forced to cut more aggressively in 2026.

The EUR rose on Friday even after German GDP data showed a deeper contraction than first feared. German GDP shrank 0.3% QoQ.

ECB President Christine Lagarde warned over slowing growth in the region as the frontloading impact from the previous quarters fades.