The Sterling Roller Coaster Continues
Currency Market News on Ups and Downs of Sterling, The Greek Lifeline and Bernanke’s Testimony
10, February 2010
A good start for sterling soon lost momentum following the Bank of England inflation report and Mervyn Kings press conference. The markets and sterling were initially boosted following a report in Le Monde newspaper of a Germany led aid plan for Greece.
The ECB did not comment on these reports but the rumour alone was enough to drive the markets higher with the USD shedding some of its recent gains along with the Yen. GBP/USD pushed through 1.5750 and GBP/EUR 1.1425.
However the markets made a quick u-turn as party pooper Mervyn King dampened the mood with a dose of reality. The key blow was the affirmation that it is far too early to conclude that no more QE (Quantitive Easing) is needed. This forced GBP/USD back to 1.5650 and GBP/EUR to 1.1350. Expect the “will they or wont they” that is the ECB assisting Greece to dominate the markets over the coming sessions.
In economic data from the UK earlier December Industrial production output came in stronger than expected at +0.5%. This is good news for the UK economy but not significant enough to lift sterling. Sterling is suffering at the moment as it is being sold on the fear factor.
Later today we have Bernanke’s testimony to the congressional committee. This could lead to some US dollar volatility.
Report by Phil McHugh
Currency Market Updates by Tom Nadir
Currencies Direct is a leading commercial foreign exchange company with offices in the UK, Australia and Spain and has offices across 5 continents. Currencies Direct’s head office and global trading centre is based in the City of London.
The contents of this report are for information purposes only.
Filed Under Currency Market News, Currency Market Updates, currencies direct | Leave a Comment
Tagged With Bank Of England, Bernanke’s testimony, currencies direct, Currency Market News, Currency Market Updates, GBP/EUR, GBP/USD, QE, Quantitative Easing, sterling
Comments
Leave a Reply




