Sterling holding up well in spite of politics

Today's Highlights

• Bank of Japan keeps rates on hold but worries about global economy

• Positive data expected from the USA today

Current Market Overview

Lordy be…Friday got here quickly didn’t it? Beware the ides of March, as someone once said. The UK Prime Minister will be watching her back and that’s a fact. Et tu colleagues!

Once again, the day will be dominated by Brexit shenanigans after Sterling rose for most of Thursday and then slipped off its pedestal when MPs voted by a huge margin to delay the date that the UK will leave the EU. If they haven’t managed to agree on a deal in two years and nine months, it is hard to see what will change between now and the revised date of 30th June and, of course, the EU has to agree to the change as well. It is not at all certain that will happen.

Sterling still starts Friday around $1.3250 and €1.17 at the mid-market level but goodness only knows what the clowns our dutiful MPs at Westminster will cook up for us today.  As far as the UK goes, there is nothing to write home about on the data front, so Sterling is at the mercy of the politicos.

Japan leave interest rates on hold

Overnight, we heard that the Bank of Japan dutifully left their base rate on hold as they bemoaned the state of the global economy and expressed their fears of a further slowdown.

Bad news for Australian and New Zealand Dollars

Talk of a delay before the US and Chinese Presidents can meet regarding trade talks weakened the currencies of the countries that support China and rely on commodity exports. So the Australasian and Canadian Dollars plus the South African Rand and others around Asia suffered a little. 

Interesting times for the US Dollar

The US Dollar is also at the weak end of its spectrum but we are expecting improvements in today’s US data. That includes the Empire State Manufacturing Index, Industrial Production and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. So don’t be surprised if the US Dollar is a little more expensive later in the day. Clearly that would mean the Pound is a little cheaper for USD sellers too. So there’s the silver lining.

Happy Birthday, internet!

And who would have thought that the very first internet domain name www.symolics.com was registered on this day in 1985? Happy 34th birthday, internet old boy!  You are looking a bit long in the tooth, but, in true stereotypical style, you break down very easily.