EUR/GBP drops below 0.8350 due to less likelihood of a BoE rate cut next month

EUR/GBP remains subdued as Pound Sterling receives support from the hawkish mood surrounding the BoE policy decision in December.
BoE Deputy Governor Lombardelli requires more evidence of easing price pressures before supporting another rate cut.
The Euro struggles as the ECB could deliver a rate cut in December amid growing concerns about Eurozone's economic outlook.

EUR/GBP extends its losses for the second successive session, trading around 0.8330 during the early European hours on Wednesday. This downside of the EUR/GBP cross could be attributed to improved Pound Sterling (GBP) amid reduced expectations of the Bank of England (BoE) cutting interest rates in December.

Most BoE policymakers favor a gradual approach to easing monetary policy. BoE Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli stated on Tuesday that she would require additional evidence of easing price pressures before supporting another interest rate cut. US trade tariffs could threaten economic growth, though it remains too early to assess the full impact of the proposed measures, Lombardelli added.

In contrast, Eurozone markets have fully priced in a 25-basis-point rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) in December, with the probability of a larger 50 bps cut rising to 58%. This reflects growing market concerns about the region's economic prospects.

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats against China, Mexico, and Canada have further dampened market sentiment, adding downward pressure on European economies and weighing on the risk-sensitive Euro.

Traders are now focused on the upcoming release of the Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation data on Friday. Preliminary inflation and core inflation figures for November are expected to show annualized increases, potentially raising concerns for investors. Moreover, Bank of England’s Financial Stability Report will also be eyed.

Interest rates FAQs

What are interest rates?

Interest rates are charged by financial institutions on loans to borrowers and are paid as interest to savers and depositors. They are influenced by base lending rates, which are set by central banks in response to changes in the economy. Central banks normally have a mandate to ensure price stability, which in most cases means targeting a core inflation rate of around 2%. If inflation falls below target the central bank may cut base lending rates, with a view to stimulating lending and boosting the economy. If inflation rises substantially above 2% it normally results in the central bank raising base lending rates in an attempt to lower inflation.

How do interest rates impact currencies?

Higher interest rates generally help strengthen a country’s currency as they make it a more attractive place for global investors to park their money.

How do interest rates influence the price of Gold?

Higher interest rates overall weigh on the price of Gold because they increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold instead of investing in an interest-bearing asset or placing cash in the bank. If interest rates are high that usually pushes up the price of the US Dollar (USD), and since Gold is priced in Dollars, this has the effect of lowering the price of Gold.

What is the Fed Funds rate?

The Fed funds rate is the overnight rate at which US banks lend to each other. It is the oft-quoted headline rate set by the Federal Reserve at its FOMC meetings. It is set as a range, for example 4.75%-5.00%, though the upper limit (in that case 5.00%) is the quoted figure. Market expectations for future Fed funds rate are tracked by the CME FedWatch tool, which shapes how many financial markets behave in anticipation of future Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.