Today’s Highlights –
Yesterday’s decision by the Bank of England to raise interest rates by 0.25% to 5.25% was in line with market expectations. As a result, the value of the British Pound dropped against both the US Dollar and the Euro. GBP/USD reached a low of 1.2621, while EUR/GBP reached a high of 0.8655 during intra-day trading. However, after carefully analysing the BOE statement and the governor’s press conference, investors regained confidence in the Pound. GBP/USD stabilized at around 1.27, and EUR/GBP traded back down towards 0.8600. Governor Bailey’s press conference was perceived as more balanced, and as a result, the market is still pricing in another 0.25% interest rate hike in September.
It is worth noting that there has been a reassessment of the terminal interest rate in the UK, which refers to the rate at which the market believes the BOE will stop increasing interest rates. This rate now stands at 5.75%, down from its previous high of over 6.5% a few months ago.
In addition to these developments, today’s focus is on the US Jobs Report, which is traditionally the most important economic release of each month. It provides data on job creation, the unemployment rate, and average hourly earnings for the previous month. Given the current strength of the US Dollar, a strong release today is expected to further boost the currency against other G10 currencies. Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD are hovering around significant support levels at 1.09 and 1.2621 respectively, which adds even more significance to today’s release.
The consensus among analysts is that non-farm payrolls will consolidate June’s slower pace, with an expected creation of 200,000 jobs in July after the previous month’s 209,000. The unemployment rate, as measured by the household survey, surprised many by remaining unchanged at 3.6% in June. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
Overall, the economic landscape is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for us to stay informed and adapt our strategies accordingly.
At the top of the importance scale, we have the highly anticipated US Jobs Report this afternoon. This report, which is released on the first Friday of each month, is traditionally considered the most significant economic release. It provides crucial insights into the previous month’s job creation, unemployment rate, and average hourly earnings, making it a key indicator of the overall health of the US economy.
Given the current strength of the US Dollar, a strong release today is expected to solidify its position and propel it higher against other G10 currencies. The EUR/USD pair is currently hovering near a critical support level at 1.09, while the GBP/USD pair is testing yesterday’s lows at 1.2621. These levels hold immense significance, adding to the anticipation surrounding today’s release.
Analysts predict that non-farm payrolls will consolidate the slower pace seen in June, with an expected creation of 200,000 jobs in July following the previous month’s 209,000. The unemployment rate, as measured by the household survey, surprised many by remaining unchanged at 3.6% in June. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues. The outcome of today’s US Jobs Report will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the currency markets, and we must closely monitor any resulting trends or shifts.