|

GBP/USD: Coronavirus and Brexit to drive the cable

Fear is gripping markets. Coronavirus headlines continue dominating the news, triggering a flight to safety in markets, while speculation about Brexit has been weighing on the pound, Yohay Elam from FXStreet reports. 

Key quotes

“Traders are flocking to American bonds, pushing the ten-year benchmark Treasury yield to record lows of 1.306. In turn, the US dollar is becoming less attractive.”

“While the number of UK coronavirus cases is limited, a large group of Brits is confined to a hotel in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. If more UK nationals are confirmed to carry the virus, the pound disease may eventually push GBP/USD lower.” 

“Diageo, a British-based beverage maker, has issued a warning related to the illness. Additional announcements by UK firms may also weigh on sterling.”

“Official Brexit talks kick off on Monday. While negotiators may compromise behind closed doors, the recent defiant rhetoric has been pushing the pound lower.”

Author

More from FXStreet Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD stays well offered below 1.1800

The selling pressure on EUR/USD is picking up pace, with the pair slipping decisively below the key 1.1800 level and sliding to fresh two week lows as Wednesday’s session draws to a close. The move lower comes as the US Dollar finds renewed strength after the latest round of US data and the release of the FOMC Minutes. Next of note on the docket will be the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims.
 

GBP/USD reaches multi-day lows near 1.3500

GBP/USD reverses its initial upside momentum and is now adding to previous declines, approaching the 1.3500 region on Wednesday. Cable’s downtick comes on the back of decent gains in the Greenback and easing UK inflation figures, which seem to have reinforced the case for a BoE rate cut in March.

Gold battle to regain $5,000 continues

Gold is back on the front foot on Wednesday, shaking off part of the early week softness and challenging two-day highs near the $5,000 mark per troy ounce. The move comes ahead of the FOMC Minutes and is unfolding despite an intense rebound in the US Dollar.

Bitcoin has found or is near a bottom, extended consolidation to follow: K33

Bitcoin (BTC) is nearing or has already established a bottom, which could be followed by a sustained period of slow price movement, according to K33.

Mixed UK inflation data no gamechanger for the Bank of England

Food inflation plunged in January, but service sector price pressure is proving stickier. We continue to expect Bank of England rate cuts in March and June. The latest UK inflation read is a mixed bag for the Bank of England, but we doubt it drastically changes the odds of a March rate cut.

Sui extends sideways action ahead of Grayscale’s GSUI ETF launch

Sui is extending its downtrend for the second consecutive day, trading at 0.95 at the time of writing on Wednesday. The Layer-1 token is down over 16% in February and approximately 34% from the start of the year, aligning with the overall bearish sentiment across the crypto market.