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All eyes will be on US inflation data today. Due to be released this afternoon, the figures are expected to show that inflation has risen both annually and month-on-month, following a 13-year high in September.
Last week, the Federal Reserve said it will be ‘patient’ when deciding to raise interest rates, despite high inflation. The markets will be watching to see if the inflation figures may push the Federal Reserve to take action sooner than anticipated.
After recovering slightly yesterday, the pound is trading around the same levels against the euro and the dollar. It’s a quiet day for UK economic data releases, however, GDP figures will be released tomorrow morning.
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GBP: UK GDP tomorrow
The pound recovered slightly against both the euro and the dollar yesterday and is trading around the same levels this morning.
This came after comments from Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, who said that interest rates could be hiked if inflation starts to fuel wage increases. Despite voting to keep interest rates on hold last week, the markets continue to look at the Bank for signals that they may be raised soon.
There are no significant economic data releases for the UK today. However, UK GDP figures will be released tomorrow, expected to reveal that the economy expanded by 1.5% in the third quarter of this year.
GBP/USD past year
EUR: German inflation rises in October
The euro is little changed against the pound and the dollar this morning.
The European Central Bank will hold its Non-Monetary Policy meeting today, which covers financial considerations such as the operation of the eurozone’s financial market infrastructure. ECB official, Frank Elderson, will also speak later today.
This morning, inflation rate figures for Germany were released. The annual inflation rate rose to 4.5% in October, the highest since August of 1993 and matching expectations. It increased 0.5% month on month.
USD: Inflation expected to rise
The dollar is slightly stronger against a basket of currencies this morning ahead of US inflation rate figures, which are set to be released this afternoon.
Core inflation is expected to rise to 4.3% annually in October and overall inflation is expected to rise to 5.8% after reaching a 13-year high in September. The markets will be watching closely for any signs that high inflation could impact the actions of the Federal Reserve.
Jobless claims figures will follow inflation data later today and are expected to have fallen slightly in the week ending October 30.
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