Tuesday 18th Febraury 2025

John Hall • February 18, 2025

TODAY’s RATES & MARKET NEWS

Key Headline:

·       GBP Strengthens Amid Robust Job Market

·       Data Suggests Cautious Approach to Rate Cuts

Recap

·       Quiet Start to the Week: A sparse economic calendar and the US holiday (President’s Day) keep market activity steady.

·       USD Weakness Continues: The dollar extends its decline, pressured by last Friday’s disappointing retail sales data.


Today’s Rates

Today's Interbank Rates at 10:05 am against GBP movement.

GBP>EUR – 1.2046

GBP>USD – 1.2607

EUR>GBP – 0.8300

EUR>USD – 1.0466

GBP>CAD – 1.7887

GBP>AUD – 1.9819

GBP>SEK – 13.511

GBP>CHF – 1.1351

GBP>PLN – 5.0081

GBP>AED – 4.6290

GBP>HKD – 9.8011

GBP>ZAR – 23.170

 

Today’s Key Takeaways

·       RBA Rate Cut with a Hawkish Tone: The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered interest rates by 0.25% but maintained a cautious stance on future cuts, keeping the AUD slightly firmer.

·       GBP Strengthens on Job Market Data: The UK unemployment rate held steady at 4.4% instead of rising to 4.5%, and wage growth exceeded expectations, reinforcing the Bank of England’s cautious approach to rate cuts.

·       Focus on UK CPI Data: Tomorrow’s inflation report could further support GBP, as expectations point to rising prices.

 

18th February 2025

This document has been prepared solely for information and is not intended as an Inducement concerning the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. By its nature market analysis represents the personal view of the author and no warranty can be, or is, offered as to the accuracy of any such analysis, or that predictions provided in any such analysis will prove to be correct. Should you rely on any analysis, information, or report provided as part of the Service it does so entirely at its own risk, and Frank eXchange Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage you may suffer as a result. Information and opinions have been obtained from sources believed to be dependable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. No copy of this document can be taken without prior written permission.

                       

ECB Rate Cut on Deck, Global Trade in Focus: What It Means for FX, Inflation & Market Sentiment

By John Hall • April 17, 2025
📉 Markets brace as the ECB eyes a rate cut, with Christine Lagarde set to speak and global trade tensions bubbling in the background. What could this mean for your FX exposure or international plans?

The US dollar continues to slide, weighed down by trade tensions & waning investor confidence.

By John Hall • April 16, 2025
🚨 Markets in Motion : With UK inflation easing, US-China trade tensions flaring, and central banks under the spotlight, is now the time to rethink your global strategy?💬

📉 Dollar Under Pressure, Pound Holds Firm – Key FX Moves & What They Mean for You

By John Hall • April 15, 2025
After hitting its lowest level since December 2023, GBPEUR has started to recover. Improved UK sentiment and a softer euro have helped reverse the recent dip

📉 USD Weakens, EUR Powers Ahead

By John Hall • April 14, 2025
📉 USD Slides, EUR Surges: What Tariffs, UK Data & ECB Moves Could Mean for Your Currency Strategy This Week

Markets Digest Mixed Signals: USD Slips, GBP Data Surprises, and EUR index has climbed to its highest level in four years.

By John Hall • April 11, 2025
Interestingly, the euro is being treated more like a safe-haven than a risk currency—helped by Germany’s pivot toward growth policies and the EU’s measured stance on tariffs. 👉 Is the euro becoming the new stabiliser in global markets?

Today's CPI report will be closely watched to see if early tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China are starting to drive up consumer prices.

By John Hall • April 10, 2025
Market Calm or Just the Eye of the Storm? After a dramatic U-turn from the Trump administration, global markets rallied on hopes of eased tariffs. But with tensions still high—especially with China—and inflation data due today, uncertainty is far from over. 💬 What do you think today’s CPI print means for future rate moves? 📉 Is this market rebound sustainable—or just a pause before the next wave?

Tariffs Take Center Stage: US has hit China with a massive 104% tariff, affecting global sentiment.

By John Hall • April 9, 2025
Rate Cuts May Be Overestimated: With inflation rising, the Fed may not cut rates as much as expected.👉 Could a stronger dollar be back on the table?

Tariff Turmoil: Markets Sway as China Vows to Fight and Rumours of Delay Fizzle — Is a Global Deal on the Horizon?

By John Hall • April 8, 2025
Markets can’t catch a break— or can they? Rumours of a tariff delay gave traders a brief sigh of relief… until they were denied. China is digging in, but some say negotiations are coming.  👀 Could this be the turning point, or just more noise?

Markets are rattled, and investors are flocking to safe-haven currencies as fears grow. Could the Fed’s surprise rate cuts be just around the corner?✂️

By John Hall • April 7, 2025
Trump's Tough Tariffs & Market Woes: Recession Fears, Rate Cuts, and Trade Tensions Heat Up

Fed Chair Powell Speaks: Market Braces for Rate Cuts Amid Tariff Uncertainty

By John Hall • April 4, 2025
Euro Holds Strong Despite Tariffs – Even with 20% tariffs in place, the euro managed to gain ground yesterday. Is this resilience a short-term reaction or a sign of underlying strength?
More Posts