|

EUR/GBP trades lower as Pound strengthens on BoE comments ahead of UK GDP data

  • EUR/GBP trades lower around 0.8660 as the Pound Sterling strengthens ahead of UK GDP data.
  • The Euro remains supported by signs that the European Central Bank is nearing the end of its rate-cutting cycle.
  • Comments from a Bank of England official fuel expectations of a gradual normalization of UK monetary policy.

EUR/GBP trades around 0.8660 on Wednesday at the time of writing, down 0.12% on the day, as the Pound Sterling (GBP) benefits from cautious investor positioning ahead of UK growth data.

The Euro (EUR) nonetheless retains some support amid a gradual easing of inflationary pressures in the Eurozone, reinforcing the view that the European Central Bank (ECB) may be approaching the end of its rate-cutting cycle. Eurozone headline inflation, released last week, slowed to 2% YoY in December, its lowest level in four months and in line with the ECB’s target, while core inflation eased to 2.3% YoY, slightly below market expectations. These figures support the scenario of a more stable monetary policy outlook over the medium term, limiting downside pressure on the single currency.

On the UK side, the Pound Sterling (GBP) outperforms its major peers ahead of the release of the November monthly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, scheduled for Thursday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is expected to report a 0.1% expansion in activity, following two consecutive monthly contractions of 0.1% in September and October. At the same time, Manufacturing Production is forecast to rise by 0.5% MoM, while Industrial Production is expected to remain broadly flat. Investors are closely monitoring these data to assess the resilience of the UK economy.

Pound Sterling sentiment is also supported by recent comments from Alan Taylor, a member of the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Speaking at a summit at the National University of Singapore, Taylor said he expects monetary policy to normalize toward neutral levels “sooner rather than later,” noting that inflation sustainably at target is likely to be achieved from mid-2026. These remarks are in line with the guidance delivered by the Bank of England at its December meeting, when policymakers indicated that monetary policy is set to follow a gradual downward path.

Euro Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.05%-0.17%-0.22%0.06%-0.13%-0.11%0.08%
EUR0.05%-0.12%-0.17%0.11%-0.08%-0.03%0.14%
GBP0.17%0.12%-0.02%0.23%0.05%0.09%0.26%
JPY0.22%0.17%0.02%0.28%0.10%0.13%0.31%
CAD-0.06%-0.11%-0.23%-0.28%-0.19%-0.15%0.03%
AUD0.13%0.08%-0.05%-0.10%0.19%0.04%0.21%
NZD0.11%0.03%-0.09%-0.13%0.15%-0.04%0.17%
CHF-0.08%-0.14%-0.26%-0.31%-0.03%-0.21%-0.17%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).

Author

Ghiles Guezout

Ghiles Guezout is a Market Analyst with a strong background in stock market investments, trading, and cryptocurrencies. He combines fundamental and technical analysis skills to identify market opportunities.

More from Ghiles Guezout
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD hits multi-week tops around 1.3560

GBP/USD gathers fresh steam and advances to new three-month peaks near the 1.3560 zone on Friday. Cable’s sharp move higher comes after three daily drops in a row and follows the increasing selling pressure hurting the Greenback.

EUR/USD pops to fresh two-month highs, targets 1.1600

EUR/USD advances markedly, revisiting the upper 1.1500s for the first time since mid-June. The pair’s sharp uptick comes on the back of a strong retracement in the US Dollar amid BoJ intervention chatter and despite steady uncertainty in the Middle East.

Gold picks up pace, approaches $4,400

Gold rebounds toward the $4,400 mark per troy ounce on Friday, reversing the previous day’s pullback. The precious metal’s recovery comes as fresh and intense weakness keep weighing on the US Dollar, while traders keep assessing easing expectations of an imminent Fed interest rate hike and the situation from the Middle East.

Pi Network Price Forecast: PI extends consolidation as bulls eye $0.10
Pi Network (PI) price holds steady on Friday, maintaining a consolidating tone for three consecutive days. Mild retail strength in the PI token remains stable, with Open Interest above $9 million, while social buzz eases. PI token’s technical outlook is mixed, as bearish momentum wanes to neutral, with bulls eyeing the $0.1000 psychological level.
 Weekly focus: Some relief in US inflation concerns

Actual inflation data for July came out as expected with a 0.1% m/m increase in headline CPI and 0.2% excluding food and energy. Annual headline inflation remains too high at 3.4% and means that wage earners are experiencing stagnating spending power at best, and core inflation is a bit higher than the inflation target of two percent would suggest.

Why is Crude Oil priced for a reopening the ships haven't made?
Fourteen vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Before the war, the count ran near 120 a day. In the sessions since the waterway was publicly declared open, Brent has drifted back to $87 and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to $81, both a little lower again on Wednesday, with daily momentum on each unwound from the top of its range in late July to the low twenties now.