Pound Slides After GDP Data

The Pound Sterling was broadly lower in London trading on Tuesday as FX traders await news of the government's plans regarding infrastructural spending given the latest growth data. The Office of National Statistics reported earlier that GDP came in at -2.2% for the first quarter Pound slidesof 2020 (on a quarter-over-quarter basis) worse than the predicted -2.0%. Data shows that that is the largest contraction in four decades, which puts the UK government under scrutiny as to how to move forward. Adding to the concerns is the lack of progress in the Brexit talks. Today is the last day that the government can request that the deadline be extended.

As of 10:48 am in London, the GBP/USD was trading lower at $1.2263, down 0.296% and off the earlier trough of $1.22573. The EUR/GBP was lower at 0.9133 Pence, down 0.0233%; the pair has ranged from a low of 0.91277 Pence to a high of 0.91506 Pence. The GBP/JPY was down at 132.188 Yen, a loss of 0.0748%, and off the session trough of 132.006 Pence.

China PMI Fails to Inspire

In China, the PMI reports for the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors were released for the month of June, with numbers better than expected. The CNY Non-manufacturing PMI came in at 54.4, while the Manufacturing PMI came in at 50.9, above the 50.4 that had been predicted. The CNY Caixin PMI Report is due out tomorrow and analysts have predicted the June reading will have fallen slightly to 50.5. Despite the data, the Aussie and Kiwi Dollars failed to get a boost. The AUD/USD was trading lower at $0.6837, down 0.3963% while the NZD/USD was lower at $0.6839, down 0.4503%. Earlier today, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia commented that the RBA expected considerable uncertainty as regards the Aussie economy, but that the central bank was ready to do more as needed.

Barbara Zigah

After working on Wall Street, Barb began her second career as a freelance writer at Daily Forex, where the CEO recognized fresh, untapped potential and was willing to give her a try. She’s never looked back. Since then, she’s worked steadily as a freelance writer and editor in the financial services and Forex-related industry.