By Greg Smith on Monday, October 22nd, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Politics and Brexit in focus Last week’s EU summit in Brussels, where Brexit negotiations were key, did not go well for Theresa May. Politics remain key for sterling and the main outcome was no confirmation of a November summit given the lack of progress. The focus for Brexit has now shifted towards the […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, October 15th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – EU summit key The EU summit is a key step in the Brexit negotiations. Negotiations continue and apparently, some progress has been made. However, questions remain on whether a further summit will be needed in November with continued uncertainty on the Irish border issue in both Brussels and the UK. Prime Minister May […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, October 8th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Brexit negotiations to resume Brexit negotiations are set to resume now that the Conservative Party conference has closed. Prime Minister May signaled at the end of the conference that the UK will not seek a Brexit deal ‘at any cost’. However, the absence of any further mention of her ‘Chequers’ deal during her […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, October 1st, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Conservative’s Party Conference Last week saw a significant focus on the Labour Party Conference which came to an end on Wednesday. There was relatively little reaction from the market, though there was a push for a general election, suggestions of a further referendum on Brexit and rejection of Prime Minister May’s Chequers arrangement. […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, September 24th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Conservative’s Party Conference Last week saw a significant focus on the Labour Party Conference which came to an end on Wednesday. There was relatively little reaction from the market, though there was a push for a general election, suggestions of a further referendum on Brexit and rejection of Prime Minister May’s Chequers arrangement. […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, September 17th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – May at EU Summit Brexit negotiations appear to be making progress. More positive comments have shifted expectations to an agreement being reached by the November summit. Even if this timetable doesn’t slip further, there will still be a number of hurdles, including passing through parliaments. There is scope for further progress this week […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, September 10th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – MPC likely watching data The data out for the UK last week was mixed, with August manufacturing and construction PMIs lower in July. Services PMI, however, rose by more than expected leading to a rise in the composite. Today we will see the first indications of GDP growth in the third quarter. Monthly […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, September 3rd, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Carney before Treasury Committee Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and colleagues from the Monetary Policy Committee will testify about the recent interest rate hike and August Inflation Report in front of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee. There are rumours that Mr Carney has been asked to stay on as BoE […]
By Greg Smith on Tuesday, August 28th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Brexit negotiations ramp up The focus for the UK will remain the ongoing Brexit discussions. UK Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier met last week and announced that with key autumn deadlines approaching, negotiations will be ongoing. Mr Raab and Mr Barnier will likely meet again this week. Last […]
By Greg Smith on Monday, August 20th, 2018
in Market Insights
GBP – Brexit negotiations resume Last week was a busy week for economic data in the UK, though the data had little bearing on the fortunes of sterling. Unemployment fell to a 43-year low of 4%, though pay growth remained modest. Inflation moved slightly higher for the year, whilst the ‘core’ rate remained steady at […]