Pound Rises Amid Rising Risk Appetite; U.K. Trade Data In Focus
October 08 2015 - 9:17PM
RTTF2
The British pound strengthened against most major currencies in
the late Asian session on Friday, as investor sentiment boosted
after minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting reinforced the
view that the central bank may delay its first interest rate hike
into next year. Meanwhile, the traders await the U.K. trade balance
data, due later in the day.
In the minutes, most officials decided it would be "prudent" to
wait for signs that problems overseas, especially in China, would
dissapate. The Fed voted 9 to 1 to hold rates steady.
The Office for National Statistics publishes U.K. foreign trade
data for August at 4:30 am ET. The visible trade deficit is seen
narrowing to GBP 9.92 billion in August from GBP 11.08 billion in
July.
Thursday, the pound showed mixed performance against its major
rivals. While the pound rose against the U.S. dollar and the yen,
it held steady against the euro and the Swiss franc.
In the late Asian trading, the pound rose to more than 2-week
highs of 1.5373 against the U.S. dollar and 184.44 against the yen,
from early lows of 1.5341 and 183.92, respectively. If the pound
extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 1.55
against the greenback and 188.00 against the yen.
Against the euro, the pound advanced to 0.7336 from an early low
of 0.7355. On the upside, 0.72 is seen as the next resistance level
for the pound.
Meanwhile, the pound rose to 1.4859 against the Swiss franc,
from an early low of 1.4816 and held steady thereafter.
Looking ahead, U.K. trade balance and construction output, both
for August, are due to be released later in the day.
In the New York session, Canada unemployment rate for September,
U.S. import price index for September and wholesale inventories for
August are slated for release.
At 9:10 am ET, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis
Lockhart is expected to speak about the US economic outlook and
monetary policy at the University of New York's Graduate School of
Journalism.
Subsequently, at 1:30 pm ET, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
President Charles Evans will deliver a speech titled "A Perspective
on Monetary Policy," in Milwaukee.
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