Intra-Day Market Moving News & Views GBP/USD

Intra-Day Market Moving New and Views

02 Sep 2014    08:32GMT

GBP/USD - .... Cable has stabilised after intra-day sell off from 1.6605 (Asia) to as low as 1.6554 in European morning due initially dlr's strength at Asian open, then broad-based selling of sterling vs euro & yen.

The fact that price is unable to stage a short-covering rebound after release of a much stronger-than-expected U.K. construction PMI (Aug actual came in at 64.0 vs forecast of 61.4 & prev. reading of 62.4) suggests the no. of sterling bears is greater than the bulls. Looks like sterling bears are targeting stops below last Mon's 4-1/2 month low at 1.6535. For now, offers are tipped at 1.6585/95 n more abv with stop touted abv 1.6615. A mixture of bids n stops is reported near 1.6535-30, suggesting selling cable on recovery is the way to go.

Although sterling held well yesterday after a surprise downbeat U.K. manufacturing PMI where Aug reading dropped fm 54.8 to 52.25. We have construction PMI due out today n then the important services PMI on Wed.

The U.K. Telegraph reported a weaker outlook for the manufacturing sector has led some analysts to suggest that the best days of the U.K. recovery have now passed. Poor manufacturing data could signal the end of a hot streak for U.K. growth.

The survey pointed to a "broad slowdown" that is underway in the UK's manufacturing sector, according to Markit, who compiled the report. Rob Dobson, senior economist at Markit, said: "It is also becoming increasingly evident that UK industry is not immune to the impacts of rising geopolitical and global market uncertainty, especially when they affect economic growth and business confidence in our largest trading partner the eurozone."

With the Scottish referendum on Sep 18 a little more than 2-week away, more news n latest poll results will be reported. Reuters reported the British government said on Monday it was not drawing up contingency plans for a surprise vote in favour of Scottish independence.

One of the major debates has raised big questions such as what currency an independent Scotland would use and what would happen to Britain's Scotland-based nuclear submarines. But the govt on Mon refused to discuss how it would handle a split.
"No such work (is being) undertaken," PM David Cameron's official spokesman told reporters when asked if the govt had drawn up contingency plans for a "Yes" vote. "The govt's entire focus is on making the case for the UK staying together."