The GBPEUR rate is trading 0.25% higher at lunchtime on Monday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the results of a review into the UK’s foreign and defence policy. The result will be yet more spending as the PM tries to shore up gaps in the country’s ability to manufacture and defend its national interest.
The pound to euro is still moving higher as the UK announced over 20 million vaccinated in the country, while the EU reels from last week’s AstraZeneca halt, that has slowed its own rollout once more. GBPEUR trades at 1.1670 halfway through the Monday trading session.
PM to Announce Domestic Investment Plans
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today announce plans to increase investment in domestic industries when he announces the results of the government’s review of foreign and defence policy. The plan will be to protect the UK from over-reliance on foreign investment, which has been a theme of recent years.
Johnson said the country’s growth ambitions should “start at home”, as he seeks to position the country for success on the global stage. The Integrated Review will seek to strengthen the “UK’s core industrial base” with plans to create additional manufacturing jobs. The recent Budget announced plans to fund new port hubs in England and this would position the country for exports. The renewables industry is growing in the UK and manufacturing jobs are set to be created in Teesside and the Humber, by the likes of GE and Nissan.
Johnson is also expected to lay out investments in defence and cyber security over fears that China and Russia are gaining an advantage in these areas.
EU Inflation and Sentiment Tomorrow
Tomorrow will see the latest inflation numbers from France and Italy, while ZEW economic sentiment surveys for the EU and Germany are released.
French inflation is expected to dip to 0.4% from 0.6%, while Italy is expected to see a rise in the opposite direction to 0.6%. The readings could re-ignite fears of inflation if they came in higher and that could stress the euro, but it’s likely that the current lockdowns are keeping prices contained.
The European Central Bank (ECB) said in their recent meeting that the yield rises had been “undesirable” and they also announced an increase in their bond purchases, but a shake up in bonds again would not be welcome for markets.
The Bank of England (BoE) are set to meet this week on Thursday and will take a similar tone to the ECB. The Bank of England have more ability to avoid taking any action as the UK should open up before the EU and the get the recovery started.
The pound to euro rate still has 1.17 in its sights and the data this week could lead to a breakout or breakdown in the pair. Get in touch using the form below to discuss these factors in further detail and how your currency exchange is likely to be impacted.
