020 7898 0500
All eyes will be on the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting, which is due to take place later today.
Officials are set to end the ECB’s bond buying programme and pave the way for interest rate hikes at subsequent meetings, including the next meeting in July. This is to tackle high inflation, which came in at 8.1% year-on-year in May. The markets are expecting ‘hawkish’ rhetoric from officials later today and the euro could be impacted.
The British Chambers of Commerce’s latest economic forecast predicts that the UK economy will not grow in quarter two and three of this year and could contract in quarter four. It cites a drop in business investment and high inflation as points of concern.
In the US, the markets await the latest inflation data, which will be released tomorrow.
Make sure any upcoming transactions are protected against the risks of sudden market movements. Secure a fixed exchange rate now with a forward contract; call your Business Trader on 020 3918 7255 to get started.
GBP: Pound slightly weaker after surprise surge
After a surprise surge on Tuesday afternoon, the pound has weakened slightly against the euro and the dollar. Sterling could be impacted by the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting today, as the markets will also be looking ahead to the Bank of England’s meeting next week.
A 25-basis point interest rate hike is expected at the Bank of England’s meeting next week in order to tame high inflation.
The latest forecast from the British Chambers of Commerce shows that the UK economy is expected to show no growth in quarter two and three of this year and could contract in quarter four.
GBP/USD past year
EUR: ECB meeting at lunchtime today
The euro strengthened yesterday against several currencies ahead of the European Central Bank’s meeting later today.
At the meeting, officials are expected to pave the way for a July interest rate hike, as well as further hikes throughout the course of the year. Markets are expecting a wholly ‘hawkish’ message from the meeting, so if these expectations aren’t met, the euro could suffer.
The European Central Bank’s interest rate decision is due to take place at 12:45pm and the markets will be listening closely.
USD: Dollar looks to inflation figures
The dollar is slightly weaker against a basket of currencies this morning ahead of the release of US inflation data tomorrow.
Inflation is predicted to have stayed the same year-on-year in May and core inflation is predicted to have decreased slightly.
Today, jobless claims figures will be released, which will give an indication of how the labour market has performed over the past week.
For more on currencies and currency risk management strategies, please get in touch with your Smart Currency Business trader on 020 3918 7255 or your Private Client trader on 020 7898 0541.
