ECB rate cut could be positive for the euro - Business Works
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ECB rate cut could be positive for the euro

Richard Driver of Caxton FX T here have been plenty of positive developments for the eurozone of late. The IMF looks increasingly likely to be a third line of defence and it has been agreed that the European Financial Stability Fund will be able to guarantee up to 30% of troubled eurozone state’s bonds.

Most importantly, six major central banks last week announced co-ordinated liquidity measures to take the pressure out of the global, and particularly the European banking system. The unified emergency response has given appetite for riskier assets such as the euro a real shot in the arm.

We have also seen some progress in Italy, with new PM, Mario Monti, announcing a fresh 30bn austerity package, which should serve to appease the markets for the time being.

All eyes now turn to the Thursday’s monthly interest rate decision from the European Central Bank. A higher interest rate is typically positive for a currency and a rate cut a distinct negative. However, circumstances in the eurozone are anything but normal and a second consecutive monthly rate cut to the ECB’s base rate (currently 1.25%) could well be taken as sign that EU officials understand the gravity of the region’s problems and are acting proactively and assertively. Other liquidity measures are also likely to be announced by ECB President Draghi.

Friday brings a key EU Summit which has been hyped as ‘make or break.’ This is a bit overdone but there are plenty of signs that we will see some decisions made on fiscal union amongst eurozone states. Headlines today reveal that Merkel and Sarkozy have reached an accord on eurozone budgets and potential sanctions. The markets have been disappointed before and whilst investors are likely to hope for the best while the positive headlines flow, but many will be preparing for the worst.

Conditions in the US improve, but not so for the UK

US economic figures have broadly taken a turn for the better in the past fortnight, suggesting the US economy can have a stronger 2012 than has recently been indicated. This has added to the improved sentiment in the market in recent sessions.

UK data have been less impressive. November’s UK construction and manufacturing figures revealed a further slowdown and have done little for the prospects of final quarter growth. Services sector growth enjoyed a minor uptick but levels are well off what we were seeing earlier in the year.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, was very negative indeed about the prospects for the UK economy in his Autumn Statement. The Bank of England will be sitting on the sidelines until February as far as more quantitative easing is concerned, so we will just have to hope that activity picks up in the next few months.

End of week forecast
GBP / EUR 1.16
GBP / USD 1.5750
EUR / USD 1.36
GBP / AUD 1.50

Sterling is trading at €1.1650, off its recent highs above €1.17 in light of an upturn in global risk appetite. Against the US dollar, sterling is trading more robustly up at $1.57, having bounced of lows of $1.54 in late November. We don’t see any major moves in the GBP/EUR pair this week but we may see EUR/USD continue to head higher as equities recover. This should keep GBP/USD well-supported, regardless of the growing concerns surrounding the UK economy.


Richard Driver is a Currency Market Analyst with Caxton FX and can be contacted via: www.caxtonfx.com

This brief is prepared by Caxton FX Ltd for information purposes only and may contain personal views that are not the opinion of the company. This is not an offer to purchase or sell any security or an investment advertisement. Caxton FX Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, although foreign exchange transactions with Caxton FX are regulated by HM Revenue and Customs. This email does not constitute advice for any foreign exchange transaction, nor is it intended as a solicitation for funds or recommendation to trade.




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