Out for a penny, out for the Pound:
The Pound faced another day of horrors losing as much one half of one percent on a trade weighted basis versus its peers. Following the most generous budget for 10 years, investors have confirmed their sentiment that Brexit is all that matters now. With the deadline to officially leave the European Union, whether following a transitional deal or hard break, less than five months away, the Pound’s misery and sell-off is unsurprising. The Dollar has managed to secure a mildly stronger footing today, closing the day’s European trading more than 0.1% stronger. The trade weighted Dollar Spot Index is once again approaching a value of 97, creating a technically challenging double peak that could generate a headwind for the greenback’s appreciation. With mid-term elections in the United States swinging towards the Democratic Party, traders are growing increasingly concerned about the propensity for Trump’s damaging rhetoric to rear its head. Cuts to taxation have already supported the Dollar by raising the expectations for further rate hikes because increased spending and consumption should be thought to add to inflationary pressures. Over the past few days the Rand has appeared to decouple from its traditional negative correlation with the Dollar. The destabilisation of the traditionally strong and negative correlation is likely due to the anticipation of Moody’s forthcoming rating on South African debt. Given Moody’s negative guidance following Nene’s medium-term budget policy statement last week, there is considerable risk priced into Rand crosses.
Discussion and Analysis by Charles Porter
Click Here to Subscribe to the SGM-FX Newsletter
Related Insights
Daily Brief – What is the Mar-a-Lago Accord, and should markets care?
Charles Porter
Tue 25 Mar 2025
What is the Mar-a-Lago Accord, and should markets care? At heart, the Mar-a-Lago Accord is a proposal for President Trump to weaken the US Dollar. As we know, Trump’s typical deregulatory and risk-inducing persuasion would, all other things equal, increase demand for the US Dollar. As far as the relationship between perceived risk and the […]
Daily Brief – Holding on
Charles Porter
Tue 1 Apr 2025
Holding on With less than a 10% probability of a cut priced into the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) latest monetary policy decision, it is unsurprising markets open today to news of a hold. The RBA adopted a lower peak rate of benchmark interest than the likes of the UK and USA with lower inflationary […]
Daily Brief – Pointless Being the Point
Charles Porter
Thu 27 Mar 2025
Pointless Being the Point Yesterday, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Budget to the House of Commons. Since the government’s first budget last year, bond markets have not been kind to the Chancellor, taking its angst out in the form of higher yields. The selling (and increased issuance) of UK gilts has inevitably created […]
