Summary
The British electorate on Thursday faces the likely and unusual result of a hung Parliament, that is, without a clear majority for either main party, Conservatives or Labor. Coalition governments are common on the continent but rare in England. Except for the current arrangement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, the only two prior coalition governments in the last 150 years were during the two world wars of the 20th century. Coalitions, at least in formation, tend to give fringe political views greater weight in government. In Britain the likely coalition parties are the Scottish Nationalists, the anti-European UK Independence Party, UKIP, and the current government partner the Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Nationalists are mainstream social democrats and aside from their focus on Scottish nationalism are unlikely to challenge the governing consensus on British membership in the European Union or to advocate joining the euro. The UKIP is a different story. They garnered the fourth most votes in the 2010 elections and won the highest share of any party in the 2014 European Parliament elections. They advocate leaving the European Union and much greater independence from continental concerns. A strong showing, let alone consideration or inclusion in government would send shockwaves throughout the European political and financial establishments. Economic crisis have a way of dispensing with old political arrangement and fomenting new. We may be at the beginning of Europe’s emergence from the sureties of the post war world. Join us on Thursday for a sense of history as it happens. Read here our special interview with Joseph Trevisani about UK Elections.Latest Live Videos
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds below 1.1700 despite Fed rate cut, US Jobless Claims data eyed
The EUR/USD pair posts modest losses near 1.1690 during the early European trading hours on Thursday. However, the US Federal Reserve's dovish rate cut on Wednesday could weigh on the US Dollar against the Euro. Traders await the release of the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims report, which is due later on Thursday.
GBP/USD softens as traders eye BoE rate cut next week
The GBP/USD pair trades in negative territory near 1.3365 during the early European trading hours on Thursday, pressured by the rebound in the US Dollar. Nonetheless, the potential downside might be limited after the US Federal Reserve delivered a rate cut at its December policy meeting. Traders brace for the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims report, which will be published later on Thursday.
Gold retreats from weekly top as USD rebounds slightly following the post-FOMC slump
Gold retreats following a modest Asian session uptick to the $4,247 area, or a fresh weekly high, and for now, seems to have snapped a two-day winning streak. A generally positive risk tone, along with a modest US Dollar bounce from its lowest level since October 24, turns out to be a key factor undermining demand for the safe-haven precious metal.
Solana dips as hawkish Fed cuts dampen market sentiment
Solana price is trading below $130 on Thursday, after being rejected at the upper boundary of its falling wedge pattern. The broader market weakness following the Federal Reserve’s hawkish rate cut has added to downside momentum.
Fed projects only 50 bps of additional rate cuts between 2026 and 2027; lifts GDP forecasts
The Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) latest dot plot, released on Wednesday, indicates that interest rates will average 3.4% by the end of 2026, in line with the September projection.
Here’s what to watch on Thursday, December 11:
The US Dollar (USD) sold off sharply on Wednesday, as investors continued to digest the largely anticipated rate cut by the Federal Reserve, while the updated “dots plot” surprised no one.