Analysis and Recommendations: The GBP/USD fell by 38 points to trade at 1.6012 after BBA mortgages and retail sales fell below expectations. Sterling
The GBP/USD fell by 38 points to trade at 1.6012 after BBA mortgages and retail sales fell below expectations. Sterling fell sharply against the dollar on Wednesday morning with the minutes from Bank of England’s (BoE) latest rate-setting meeting showing that members remain split on the future path of interest rates in the U.K. Two members of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) again voted for an interest rate hike in October. Martin Weale and Ian McCafferty were the two to vote for the move, with the economists widely viewed as the most hawkish members at the central bank.
Mark Carney’s majority at the Bank of England hardened its view on interest rates this month, saying increased risks from the euro area meant it was not yet time to begin raising borrowing costs.
Minutes of the monetary policy committee’s October meeting, published yesterday, showed officials voted seven to two to keep the benchmark rate at a record low 0.5 per cent.
UK retail sales fell in September, adding to signs that the economic recovery may be losing steam. The Office for National Statistics said that sales volumes fell 0.3% on the month to 2.7%. It was more than many economists expected and the weakest performance since January. Mild weather in September put shoppers off buying winter clothes, but sales were weaker in other sectors too.
Retail sales volumes fell marking the 18th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, official figures show.
FxEmpire provides in-depth analysis for each currency and commodity we review. Fundamental analysis is provided in three components. We provide a detailed monthly analysis and forecast at the beginning of each month. Then we provide more up to the data analysis and information in our weekly reports.
Today’s economic releases actual vs. forecast:
Cur. |
Event |
Actual |
Forecast |
Previous |
|||
|
NZD |
CPI (QoQ) (Q2) |
0.3% |
0.5% |
0.3% |
|
|
|
AUD |
Business Confidence |
6 |
|
6 |
|
|
|
CNY |
HSBC Mfg. PMI |
50.4 |
50.3 |
50.2 |
|
|
|
EUR |
French Mfg. PMI |
47.3 |
48.5 |
48.8 |
|
|
|
EUR |
French Services PMI |
48.1 |
48.2 |
48.4 |
|
|
|
EUR |
German Mfg. PMI |
51.8 |
49.5 |
49.9 |
|
|
|
EUR |
German Services PMI |
54.8 |
55.0 |
55.7 |
|
|
|
EUR |
Manufacturing PMI |
50.7 |
49.9 |
50.3 |
|
|
|
EUR |
Services PMI (Oct) |
52.4 |
52.0 |
52.4 |
|
|
|
GBP |
Mortgage Approvals |
39.3K |
41.5K |
41.4K |
||
|
GBP |
Core Retail Sales (MoM) |
-0.3% |
-0.2% |
0.3% |
||
|
GBP |
Core Retail Sales (YoY) |
3.1% |
3.4% |
4.4% |
||
|
GBP |
Retail Sales (MoM) |
-0.3% |
-0.1% |
0.4% |
|
|
|
GBP |
Retail Sales (YoY) (Sep) |
2.7% |
2.8% |
3.7% |
||
|
GBP |
CBI Industrial Trends |
|
-4 |
-4 |
|
|
|
USD |
Initial Jobless Claims |
|
282K |
264K |
|
Upcoming Economic Events that you should be monitoring:
Cur. |
Event |
Actual |
Forecast |
Previous |
|||
|
NZD |
Trade Balance (MoM) |
|
-700M |
-472M |
|
|
|
NZD |
Trade Balance (YoY) |
|
1,510M |
2,020M |
|
|
|
GBP |
GDP (QoQ) (Q3) |
|
0.7% |
0.9% |
|
|
|
GBP |
GDP (YoY) (Q3) |
|
3.0% |
3.2% |
|
|
|
USD |
New Home Sales (Sep) |
|
470K |
504K |
|
|
|
USD |
New Home Sales (MoM) |
|
-5.8% |
18.0% |
Government Bond Auction
Date Time Country Auction
Oct 23 11:03 Sweden Sek 1bn 0.5% Jun 2017 I/L bond
Oct 23 17:00 US Announces 2/5/7Y Note & 2Y FRN auctions on Oct 28/29/30
Oct 23 17:30 Italy Announces details of BTPei/CTZ auctions on Oct 28
Oct 23 19:00 US USD 7bn 30Y TIPS auction
Oct 24 17:30 Italy Announces details of BOT auction on Oct 29
Oct 27 12:30 Germany Eur 2.0bn new 12M Bubill (Oct 2015) auction
Oct 27 18:30 Italy Announces details of BTP/CCTeu auctions on Oct 30
Oct 27 12:10 Italy BTPei/CTZ auctions
Oct 28 12:10 Italy BOT auction
Oct 28 19:00 US 2Y Note auction
Oct 29 12:03 Sweden Bond auction
Oct 29 12:30 Germany Eur 4.0bn Aug 2024 Bund auction
Oct 29 17:30 US 2Y FRN auction
Oct 29 19:00 US 5Y Note auction
Oct 30 12:10 Italy BTP/CCTeu auctions
Oct 30 19:00 US 7Y Note auction