- Pound (GBP) is rising, after losses yesterday
- BRC retail sales jump after a hot June
- Euro (EUR) is falling as EU-US trade talk news is awaited
- German ZEW economic sentiment hits a 3-year high
The Pound-Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is rising after losses yesterday. The pair fell 0.35% in the previous session, settling on Monday at €1.1510. It traded between €1.1497 and €1.1594. At 11:30, GBP/EUR trades +0.06% at €1.1516.
The pound is pushing higher supported by tailwinds in the form of encouraging retail spending numbers and hopes of easing mortgage restrictions.
According to the British Retail Consortium, British shoppers spent more freely in June than usual, thanks to hot weather fueling demand for summer clothes. According to the BRC, spending was 3.1% higher than the same period last year and at 1% month on month compared to May, marking the biggest rise this year. The UK experienced its hottest June on record, since 1884, spurring demand among retailers.
Separately, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is expected to outline measures to ease access to mortgages as part of a government initiative aimed at boosting the country’s slowing economy. Reeves will make permanent an insurance scheme which encourages lenders to offer otherwise riskier, higher loan-to-value mortgages.
The euro remains unchanged as the market continues to watch U.S. trade talks for any signs of a breakthrough. The EU has yet to retaliate against President Trump’s threats of 30% tariffs on the bloc, which are due to take effect on August 1st. However, Trump has indicated that he’s keen for a deal to be done.
Meanwhile, on the data front, German ZEW economic sentiment improved significantly in July, rising to 52.7, up from 47.5 in June. This was well ahead of expectations of 50 and marks a three-year high. The stronger-than-expected increase in investor morale comes despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade conflicts.
Elsewhere, Spanish final inflation data for June showed that consumer prices rose to 2.2% in June, up from 2% in May.
