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Great Britain Pound GBP
Central Bank: Bank of England
Public Debt to GDP Ratio, 2017: 90.4%
Trade Balance, 2017: -$166 bln.
Inflation, 2017: 2.6%
Global reserve currency
medium
Currency of international trade
weak
United Kingdom's exit from the European Union
strong
The Great Britain pound sterling (usually called simply “pound” or “sterling”) is the currency used in the United Kingdom and in British territories. Banknotes were introduced following the creation of the Bank of England in 1694, but the history of the currency can be traced long before that, making the pound the oldest world currency that is still in use. The sterling was the most important currency in the world before the World War I. After the World War II had broken out, several countries (for the most part those that belonged to the British Empire) either introduced the pound as their own currency, or pegged their currencies to the sterling. These countries have become know as the sterling area. The importance of the UK currency and the sterling was diminished after the pound was allowed to float freely in 1972. Subsequently, the role of the major world medium of exchange passed to the US dollar. It is still the fourth most traded currency after the dollar, the euro and the yen. The pound is also used as a reserve currency.
The British pound today declined against the US dollar despite the release of the second estimate UK GDP data for Q1 2018, which met expectations. The Sterling pound was on a downtrend against the greenback from the Asian session, but rallied slightly following the GDP report before heading lower.
The British pound was on a downtrend against the US dollar from the start of today’s session largely boosted by a risk-off sentiment in the markets. The downtrend was further accelerated by the release of the UK Consumer Price Index data for April, which missed expectations, dragging the pound much lower.
The GBP/USD currency pair today retreated from its overnight rally after encountering resistance just before the crucial 1.3500 psychological level. The currency pair was on an uptrend from the early European session before reversing in the mid-European session following testimonies by Bank of England policymakers before the UK Parliament’s Treasury Select Committee.
The Great Britain pound rallied today amid reports that the United Kingdom seeks to remain in the customs union after it leaves the European Union. The currency retreated a bit after Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May denied such plans, though the sterling remained firmly above the opening level.
The British pound today remained depressed against the US dollar despite the release of the mostly positive UK labour market report for May. The increase in the 10-year US Treasury yields to levels above the crucial 3.00% level exerted downward pressure on the cable restricting any positive moves by the currency pair.
The British pound today dropped significantly against the US dollar after the Bank of England left its monetary policy unchanged to the disappointment of many investors. The GBP/USD currency pair had initially rallied higher in the early European session despite the release of weak UK trade balance data in anticipation of the BoE rate decision.
The Sterling pound today declined slightly against the US dollar following the release of the weak Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI data in the early European session. The pound was minimally affected in the early American session after several releases from the US docket such as the positive jobless claims data.
The Great Britain pound was lifted intraday by a surprisingly good report about the construction sector. By now, though, the currency has trimmed its gains, losing them outright against some rivals, like the US dollar and the Japanese yen.
The Sterling pound today declined significantly against the US dollar following the release of the Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI in the early European session. The pound’s decline was further accelerated by the US dollar’s recovery as it extended its gains at the start of the new month.
The Great Britain pound took a beating today as the vast majority of macroeconomic reports released over the Friday’s trading session were very disappointing. Markets primarily focused on the slowing economic growth, though other indicators were not impressive either.
