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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Sterling falls as BOE Governor signals “much nearer” end to rate hikes

The British pound lost ground against other major currencies yesterday afternoon after the Bank of England governor signalled a "much nearer" end to the bank's interest rate hike run.

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APAC equity markets

Equity markets fell overnight in APAC, following the lead of US indices. The USD continues to strengthen, keeping the Yen at a 10-month low and sterling and the EUR at a three-month low.

The GBP lost ground against other major currencies yesterday afternoon after the Bank of England governor signalled a "much nearer" end to the bank's interest rate hike run. The Bank of England (BoE) has raised rates at each of its last 14 meetings. It is expected to raise borrowing costs again later this month, taking the bank rate to 5.5%.

The Australian foreign trade shrank

Australian foreign trade shrank in July to A$8.04 billion. July goods and services exports printed a drop of 2% on a monthly basis, the same as June, while imports rose 3%. In China, the trade surplus also fell in August as imports and exports fell. The UK Halifax house price index fell by 1.9% in August compared to July, much more than the anticipated 0.3% fall. In Germany, industrial production fell more than expected in July, by 0.8%, after a 1.4% fall in June.

The Eurozone Q2 gross domestic product

Later on Thursday, the final reading of Eurozone Q2 gross domestic product (GDP) Expectations are for a 0.3% rise quarter on quarter (QoQ) and 0.6% year-on-year (YoY). Over in the US, initial jobless claims: economists anticipate 234,000 new claimants last week.

US crude

Crude continues to hold at 6-month highs. The American Petroleum Institute's data yesterday reported a large 5.5 million-barrel fall in US Crude inventories, on top of last week's 11.4 million-barrel draw. Analysts were expecting a smaller drop this time around of 1.4 million barrels for the week.

This adds up to a net draw in crude inventories since April of almost 50 million barrels. Gasoline stocks also fell by more than 5 million barrels.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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