The UK economy, including the British pound's quotations, has had a very turbulent year. The authority of the British currency may have first been undermined by the exit from the European Union, and then the British economy suffered a blow from a pandemic. The British Isles' severe energy crisis and high inflation may be adding to this.
Since the beginning of this year, the British pound has lost more than 15 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar. This makes the GBP the second weakest of the world's major currencies, just after the Japanese yen, losing more than 19 percent. In addition, if someone was taking the 2014’s peak as a reference point, the GBP's loss against the USD could reach more than 30 percent. As a result, the market has reached levels last seen in 1985.
Source: Conotoxia MT5, GBP/USD, MN
The British pound after a rough ride
Observed in the chart above, the two significant lows in the region of $1.1400 were first the impact of brexit on GBP quotes, and the second was the impact of the pandemic. Currently, this level seems to be tested for the third time. Today, further disappointing data from the British economy may have contributed to the pound's weakness.
The volume of UK retail sales in August fell 1.6 percent from the previous month, the Office for National Statistics reported on Friday. The regression was larger than analysts had expected. Sales fell on a monthly basis for the first time since July 2021. Non-food store sales slid 1.9 percent month-on-month, auto fuel sales fell 1.7 percent and grocery store sales were 0.8 percent lower, according to the data, which is summarized by BBN's website. As a result of weakening consumer demand and thus possibly the overall British economy, investors seem abandoning the GBP, which this morning is at its weakest since the 1980s against the USD.
Rate hikes are not helping the GBP
Expectations of interest rate hikes in the UK at this point also do not seem to be helping the pound. Some analysts note that even the GBP is moving like an emerging market currency. These could be characterized by the fact that the higher the investment risk, the lower the exchange rate, despite interest rate hikes. While interest rates in the UK may be higher than in the US over time, investors seem to be turning away from the pound anyway. It seems that under these circumstances, the British currency might have a hard time regaining investor confidence.
Daniel Kostecki, Director of the Polish branch of Conotoxia Ltd. (Conotoxia investment service)
Materials, analysis and opinions contained, referenced or provided herein are intended solely for informational and educational purposes. Personal opinion of the author does not represent and should not be constructed as a statement or an investment advice made by Conotoxia Ltd. All indiscriminate reliance on illustrative or informational materials may lead to losses. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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