EUR/GBP rallies amid uncertainty over the future of UK Minister Reeves
- UK fiscal concerns trigger a sell-off in the Gilt market, sending EUR/GBP higher.
- Pound Sterling faces pressure after the UK abandons planned welfare cuts.
- EUR/GBP surges after UK Finance Minister, Rachel Reeves, faces scrutiny at the UK House of Commons.
The Euro (EUR) is surging against the British Pound (GBP) on Wednesday as investors responded to mounting concerns about the UK’s fiscal trajectory and political stability.
At the time of writing, EUR/GBP is trading above 0.8600, with intraday gains nearing 0.70%.
Reeves faces pressure as concerns over UK fiscal policy rise
The market reaction followed a dramatic reversal by the UK government, which abandoned plans to cut £5 billion from disability and health-related welfare programs.
The decision came after internal Labour dissent and sustained pressure from disability rights advocates.
During a tense session in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared visibly strained, raising fresh doubts over cohesion at the heart of the Treasury. The reversal effectively wiped out much of the UK’s fiscal headroom, opening a multibillion-pound shortfall that analysts say may force tough decisions on taxes or spending later this year.
The fiscal retreat sparked a swift sell-off in UK government bonds. Yields on 10-year gilts surged to 4.68%, the highest since October 2022. Markets are now reassessing the UK’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline.
Speaking at the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Forum on Tuesday, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey signaled a more cautious stance on quantitative tightening. He suggested the central bank may slow the pace of asset sales. While his remarks offered some relief to gilt investors, they weren’t enough to offset the broader political and fiscal unease gripping UK markets.
Traders are increasingly factoring in heightened political risk and fiscal uncertainty in the UK, with some now questioning whether the BoE will be compelled to adjust its course in response to market volatility.
By contrast, the Euro is benefiting from relative policy stability within the Euro area, offering further upside for EUR/GBP in the near term.
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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