UK Interest Rate Expectations Falter

By Luke in Currency Articles | February 8, 2011 19:18 | Tags: , , , , ,

The Pound has suffered today retracing off highs off 1.6160 vs the dollar and 1.1876 vs the Euro. Momentum has shifted towards the downside despite the British Retail Consortium reporting a jump in sales in the UK in January. The RICS house price balance also reported the strongest reading since July indicating a stabilisation in the UK housing sector.

The Sterling decline can be attributed to the announcement that a new tax will be levied upon the UK banking sector. The introduction of this tax by Chancellor of the Exchequor George Osbourne, helps emphasise the government’s aim of quickly reigning in the UK’s large budget deficit. The tax aims to raise an extra £800 million from the now mostly recovered UK banking sector.

Interest rate expectations have also been scaled back as investors lower expectations of a rate hike on Thursday from 20% to 15%. Recent Sterling buoyancy is largely due to heightened interest rate expectations and it would seem that the majority of economists believe that the Bank or England will continue with their wait and see approach until May.

HSBC analysts have surprised the market by today announcing that they think the Bank of England won’t raise interest rates until Q1 of 2012. If on the release of the minutes later this month there is any hint of no tightening in monetary policy this year we could see the pounds recent gains rapidly reverse.

If you have a currency requirement or have any questions or queries with reference to the markets please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards
Luke Zorab

Torfx Currency Dealer

About Luke



Most Popular Content

Currency Articles - Jul 7, 2024 13:40 - 0 Comments

Pound Holds Strong as Labour Wins with a Landslide

More In Currency Articles


Gold and Oil News - Aug 24, 2024 16:06 - 0 Comments

Gold and Copper Markets Respond to Powell

More In Gold and Oil News


Gold and Oil News, Shares and Markets - Aug 4, 2024 8:48 - 0 Comments

US Stock Market Faces Turbulence and Mixed Commodity Reactions

More In Shares and Markets