- EUR/GBP treads water as markets take a breather ahead of PMI data from both economies.
- ECB officials adopt caution about committing to a rate-cut trajectory due to concerns over inflation rebound.
- The Pound Sterling receives support as last week's economic reports have increased the odds of BoE maintaining current rates.
EUR/GBP hovers around 0.8540 during the early European session on Wednesday, grappling to extend its winning streak. The EUR/GBP cross may appreciate further as traders expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to gradually lower interest rates. However, ECB officials have been cautious about committing to a specific rate-cut schedule, given concerns that inflationary pressures might pick up again.
On Tuesday, the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data from the European Monetary Union (EMU) reported no month-on-month change for July, as anticipated. Meanwhile, the Core HICP fell by 0.2%, aligning with the decline seen in June.
In the United Kingdom (UK), Public Sector Net Borrowing (excluding public sector banks) rose to £3.1 billion in July, up from £1.3 billion in the same month the previous year and far surpassing market expectations of £1.5 billion.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) receives support as last week's UK inflation and employment reports have bolstered the argument for the Bank of England (BoE) to keep the interest rate at 5.0% during its upcoming September meeting. Rupert Thompson, Chief Economist at IBOSS, also noted, "The BoE is likely to leave rates unchanged at their September meeting, with the next rate cut probably postponed until November."
Traders are set to closely monitor the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data from the United Kingdom, the Eurozone, and Germany, scheduled for release on Thursday. These reports could offer deeper insights into the economic conditions across both the UK and the Eurozone, potentially influencing policy decisions by their respective central banks.
Interest rates FAQs
Interest rates are charged by financial institutions on loans to borrowers and are paid as interest to savers and depositors. They are influenced by base lending rates, which are set by central banks in response to changes in the economy. Central banks normally have a mandate to ensure price stability, which in most cases means targeting a core inflation rate of around 2%. If inflation falls below target the central bank may cut base lending rates, with a view to stimulating lending and boosting the economy. If inflation rises substantially above 2% it normally results in the central bank raising base lending rates in an attempt to lower inflation.
Higher interest rates generally help strengthen a country’s currency as they make it a more attractive place for global investors to park their money.
Higher interest rates overall weigh on the price of Gold because they increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold instead of investing in an interest-bearing asset or placing cash in the bank. If interest rates are high that usually pushes up the price of the US Dollar (USD), and since Gold is priced in Dollars, this has the effect of lowering the price of Gold.
The Fed funds rate is the overnight rate at which US banks lend to each other. It is the oft-quoted headline rate set by the Federal Reserve at its FOMC meetings. It is set as a range, for example 4.75%-5.00%, though the upper limit (in that case 5.00%) is the quoted figure. Market expectations for future Fed funds rate are tracked by the CME FedWatch tool, which shapes how many financial markets behave in anticipation of future Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD consolidates near two-week high, looks to US NFP for fresh impetus
AUD/USD holds steady around the 0.6335 area during the Asian session on Friday as traders now await the US NFP report. Bets that the Fed will cut rates further amid concerns over failing US economic growth keep the USD depressed near a multi-month low and act as a tailwind for spot prices, though tariff jitters warrant caution for bulls.
USD/JPY: Japanese Yen stands firm near a multi-month high against a broadly weaker USD
The Japanese Yen continues to be underpinned by increasing bets for more BoJ rate hikes. Trade tariff jitters and the risk-off mood further seem to underpin demand for the safe-haven JPY. Expectations for further policy easing by the Fed weigh on the USD and the USD/JPY pair.
Gold price remains depressed ahead of US NFP; trade jitters to limit losses
Gold price trades with negative bias for the second straight day, though a combination of factors continues to act as a tailwind ahead of the crucial US NFP report later this Friday. Rising trade tensions continue to weigh on investors' sentiment.
Crypto AI Tokens: Why FET, NEAR and RNDR could outperform BTC after White House Summit
The White House Crypto Summit is scheduled to hold on Friday. Rather than double-down on BTC, sector-wide price trends show that investors are leaning towards Crypto AI altcoins.
Make Europe great again? Germany’s fiscal shift is redefining the European investment playbook
For years, Europe has been synonymous with slow growth, fiscal austerity, and an overreliance on monetary policy to keep its economic engine running. But a major shift is now underway. Germany, long the poster child of fiscal discipline, is cracking open the purse strings, and the ripple effects could be huge.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.