Pound strengthens amid post-Christmas UK stock rally
Philip McHugh December 29th 2022 - 2 minute read
The pound struck higher on Wednesday, rising in tandem with UK stocks as markets reopened after Christmas.
Sterling is trading in a narrow range so far this morning, with GBP/EUR flat at €1.1331 and GBP/USD stable at $1.2043. GBP/CAD and GBP/NZD are holding steady at C$1.9375 and NZ$1.9046, respectively, while GBP/AUD climbs to AU$1.7908.
Coming up, will a rise in new US jobless claims last week put a downer on the US dollar today?
What’s been happening?
The pound strengthened yesterday, with Sterling recouping the bulk of its losses from earlier in the week.
This uptick in GBP exchange rates came on the back of rising UK stocks as traders returned from the Christmas break.
The increasingly risk-sensitive pound was also supported by a broadly upbeat market mood, following the news that China will lift Covid quarantine rules for anyone visiting the country.
In contrast, the prevailing risk-on mood undermined the appeal of the safe-haven US dollar, with USD exchange rates also being dented by sliding US Treasury yields.
Despite its negative correlation with the US dollar, the euro was unable to find support on Wednesday, with the single currency left adrift in holiday-thinned trade.
What’s coming up?
Turning to today’s session, the only data of note will be the latest US initial jobless claims.
Economists forecast than new unemployment claims are likely to have risen in the week leading to Christmas, potentially weighing on the US dollar later this afternoon.
Otherwise, today’s data calendar remains sparse amid the ongoing lull between Christmas and New Year.
For GBP investors this leaves the focus on ongoing industrial action in the UK, with the pound potentially facing headwinds amid concerns that strikes across the economy could escalate in 2023.
Meanwhile EUR investors will be keeping a close eye out for any developments regarding Ukraine. Signs that Russia may be gearing up to mobilise hundreds of thousands more citizens early next year could drag on the euro.
Written by
Philip McHugh