Bailey speech: Labour market is softening

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Tuesday that they have to watch very carefully for consequences of inflation, per Reuters.

Key takeaways

"Labour market is softening."

"Path of interest rates will continue to be gradually downwards."

"We've seen a steepening of the long term bond yield curve."

"I don't think there's anything unusual about the UK in terms of the yield curve."

"There will be no sustained growth without stable low inflation."

"I don't believe that quantitative tightening is causing steepening of yield curve."

"Yield curve steepening partly as a response to high level of uncertainty in global economy."

"I don't think investors are concerned about viability of UK debt stock."

"Internationally there is an increase in uncertainty."

"Increase in uncertainty is coming through in terms of economic activity and growth."

"Businesses tell me they are putting off investment decisions."

Market reaction

These comments failed to trigger a noticeable reaction in GBP/USD. At the time of press, the pair was trading marginally higher on the day near 1.3750.

BoE FAQs

What does the Bank of England do and how does it impact the Pound?

The Bank of England (BoE) decides monetary policy for the United Kingdom. Its primary goal is to achieve ‘price stability’, or a steady inflation rate of 2%. Its tool for achieving this is via the adjustment of base lending rates. The BoE sets the rate at which it lends to commercial banks and banks lend to each other, determining the level of interest rates in the economy overall. This also impacts the value of the Pound Sterling (GBP).

How does the Bank of England’s monetary policy influence Sterling?

When inflation is above the Bank of England’s target it responds by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is positive for the Pound Sterling because higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls below target, it is a sign economic growth is slowing, and the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit in the hope businesses will borrow to invest in growth-generating projects – a negative for the Pound Sterling.

What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it affect the Pound?

In extreme situations, the Bank of England can enact a policy called Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the BoE substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. QE is a last resort policy when lowering interest rates will not achieve the necessary result. The process of QE involves the BoE printing money to buy assets – usually government or AAA-rated corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Pound Sterling.

What is Quantitative tightening (QT) and how does it affect the Pound Sterling?

Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE, enacted when the economy is strengthening and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the Bank of England (BoE) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to encourage them to lend; in QT, the BoE stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive for the Pound Sterling.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

AUD/USD trims some losses, bounces back to 0.7150

AUD/USD has traded on the back foot on Monday, coming close to the 0.7100 mark before rebounding toward the 0.7150 region ahead of the opening bell in Asia. The Greenback’s solid performance has kept the risk complex under pressure, sending the Aussie to fresh monthly lows on the back of rising bets for a Fed rate hike this week. on Tuesday, investors are now expected to closely follow key data releases in China.

USD/JPY: Japanese Yen edges lower vs USD amid Middle East jitters as Fed, BoJ meetings loom

The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers at the start of a new week and climbs closer to the 154.00 mark during the Asian session, reversing a part of Friday's losses. Spot prices, however, remain confined in a range held over the past week or so and within striking distance of a nearly seven-month low, touched last Tuesday, as traders await this week's key central bank events.

Gold retests $4,300; USD losses momentum

Gold picks up fresh upside traction and challenges the key $4,300 mark per troy ounce on Monday. The yellow metal, however, remain on the back foot on the back of marked gains in the US Dollar and rising US Treasury yields across the curve.

JasmyCoin: Upbit delisting raises risk of further losses

JasmyCoin shows signs of stability at the time of writing on Monday. However, the token remains constrained between support at $0.0035 and resistance at $0.0040. Since May, its technical structure has continued to deteriorate, with the price falling from highs of $0.0078. JASMY’s outlook suggests that bears have the upper hand as bulls fight to defend key support levels.

Will the Fed deliver the hawkishness markets are pricing in?

Fed hike bets increase after PPI and CPI reports. Updated dot plot to be crucial for the dollar’s reaction. Warsh’s independence faces test amid Trump’s pressure for lower rates. For the Dollar to extend gains, Fed needs to satisfy current hawkish bets.

Venezuela’s 65-billion-barrel Oil deal could reshape America’s inflation fight

The United States (US) has secured unprecedented access to part of Venezuela’s vast Oil reserves. The timing is particularly significant as the war with Iran is disrupting Middle Eastern supplies, keeping energy prices elevated and reviving concerns about inflation.