Sterling in torment

Swissquote Bank Research Team Swissquote Bank Ltd

Currently trading at 0.85370, EUR/GBP is valued at a 22-month low, heading along 0.85510 short-term. Parliament is expected to start another Brexit vote at 17:00 GMT. The battle between to impose a negotiated Withdrawal Agreement continues. Time is running short: an extension of negotiations would need to be approved by the European Union during its summit next Thursday. An extension until 30 June 2019 might be agreed. We question whether Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement or any alternatives are even feasible. GBP-positive scenarios are either an acceptance of the existing Withdrawal Agreement or of an extension.

Two days of intense debates were capped yesterday in defeat for the government. UK Attorney General Geoffrey Cox warned that the country could remain stuck in the bloc’s customs union. Last night Parliament voted not to allow a hard Brexit – but this was non-binding. Lawmakers will be focused on extending the divorce period, accepting May’s deal or staying in the EU.

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Swissquote Bank Research Team

Swissquote Bank Ltd

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.