Sterling Suffers from the Fox Factor

GBPUSD, H1

The UK’s International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, who is a staunch Brexiteer, remarked over the weekend that there was now a 60-40 chance for the UK and EU failing to come up with a new deal. Fox blamed “intransigence” on the part of the EU, while others (Remainers and EU negotiators) charge that the UK government’s “cake and eat it” expectations have simply been too fanciful. Fox remains loyal to PM May but many were surprised he  did not follow Boris Johnson and David Davies out of the cabinet following the Chequers Announcement. His strong piece in the Sunday Times follows the comment from BoE Governor Carney on Friday of there being an “uncomfortably high” risk of the UK leaving the EU without a new deal. The so-called no-deal scenario, or ‘WTO Brexit’ as Brexiteers prefer to call it, would see the UK leave the EU on 29th March next year and shift to WTO trading rules for trade with the EU, which most economists see as being costly to both the UK and the EU relative to trading in the single market. Such a scenario would also be the most risky for the UK’s financial sector, which is the UK’s golden goose in terms of UK tax revenue, as its dominant role in European finance would be threatened without a new deal in place. In light of the risks, there is potential for the negotiating period to be extended beyond 29th March 2019. It’s also looking increasingly likely that there will be another referendum, if not a general election given the need to attempt to clear the muddy political waters.

As ever, and like every hiccup on the Brexit road, it is Sterling that takes the hit. Against its major trading partners, Sterling has weakened and continues to weaken. Today, Cable is trading at 11-month lows at 1.2953, EURGBP holds 0.8910 and GBPJPY has 144.00 in sight.

 

Click here to access the HotForex Economic calendar.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! The next webinar will start in:

[ujicountdown id=”Next Webinar” expire=”2018/08/07 14:00″ hide=”true” url=”” subscr=”” recurring=”” rectype=”second” repeats=””]

Stuart Cowell

Head Market Analyst

HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.