Created
: 2024.11.27
2024.11.27 16:57
EUR/GBP extends its losses for the second successive session, trading around 0.8330 during the early European hours on Wednesday. This downside of the EUR/GBP cross could be attributed to improved Pound Sterling (GBP) amid reduced expectations of the Bank of England (BoE) cutting interest rates in December.
Most BoE policymakers favor a gradual approach to easing monetary policy. BoE Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli stated on Tuesday that she would require additional evidence of easing price pressures before supporting another interest rate cut. US trade tariffs could threaten economic growth, though it remains too early to assess the full impact of the proposed measures, Lombardelli added.
In contrast, Eurozone markets have fully priced in a 25-basis-point rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) in December, with the probability of a larger 50 bps cut rising to 58%. This reflects growing market concerns about the region's economic prospects.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats against China, Mexico, and Canada have further dampened market sentiment, adding downward pressure on European economies and weighing on the risk-sensitive Euro.
Traders are now focused on the upcoming release of the Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation data on Friday. Preliminary inflation and core inflation figures for November are expected to show annualized increases, potentially raising concerns for investors. Moreover, Bank of England's Financial Stability Report will also be eyed.
Interest rates are charged by financial institutions on loans to borrowers and are paid as interest to savers and depositors. They are influenced by base lending rates, which are set by central banks in response to changes in the economy. Central banks normally have a mandate to ensure price stability, which in most cases means targeting a core inflation rate of around 2%. If inflation falls below target the central bank may cut base lending rates, with a view to stimulating lending and boosting the economy. If inflation rises substantially above 2% it normally results in the central bank raising base lending rates in an attempt to lower inflation.
Higher interest rates generally help strengthen a country's currency as they make it a more attractive place for global investors to park their money.
Higher interest rates overall weigh on the price of Gold because they increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold instead of investing in an interest-bearing asset or placing cash in the bank. If interest rates are high that usually pushes up the price of the US Dollar (USD), and since Gold is priced in Dollars, this has the effect of lowering the price of Gold.
The Fed funds rate is the overnight rate at which US banks lend to each other. It is the oft-quoted headline rate set by the Federal Reserve at its FOMC meetings. It is set as a range, for example 4.75%-5.00%, though the upper limit (in that case 5.00%) is the quoted figure. Market expectations for future Fed funds rate are tracked by the CME FedWatch tool, which shapes how many financial markets behave in anticipation of future Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
Created
: 2024.11.27
Last updated
: 2024.11.27
FXStreet is a forex information website, delivering market analysis and news articles 24/7.
It features a number of articles contributed by well-known analysts, in addition to the ones by its editorial team.
Founded in 2000 by Francesc Riverola, a Spanish economist, it has grown to become a world-renowned information website.
We hope you find this article useful. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
We are also looking for writers with extensive experience in forex and crypto to join us.
please contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer:
All information and content provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit any investment. Although all efforts are made in order to ensure that the information is correct, no guarantee is provided for the accuracy of any content on this website. Any decision made shall be the responsibility of the investor and Myforex does not take any responsibility whatsoever regarding the use of any information provided herein.
The content provided on this website belongs to Myforex and, where stated, the relevant licensors. All rights are reserved by Myforex and the relevant licensors, and no content of this website, whether in full or in part, shall be copied or displayed elsewhere without the explicit written permission of the relevant copyright holder. If you wish to use any part of the content provided on this website, please ensure that you contact Myforex.
Myforex uses cookies to improve the convenience and functionality of this website. This website may include cookies not only by us but also by third parties (advertisers, log analysts, etc.) for the purpose of tracking the activities of users. Cookie policy