UK consumer spending at weakest since mid-90s - BRC

Omkar Godbole FXStreet Contributor

Average sales growth at British retailers was slowest on record in June as Brexit uncertainty forced consumers to tighten their purse strings, a survey by the British Retail Consortium, an industry group, showed on Tuesday.

Average sales growth weakened to 0.6% in the 12 months to June, the slowest since it began its records in 1995, according to Reuters.

Retailers also recorded their biggest annualized fall for June on record - down 1.3%.

Comments by BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson

"Overall, the picture is bleak: rising real wages have failed to translate into higher spending as ongoing Brexit uncertainty led consumers to put off non-essential purchases."

"The continued risk of a no-deal Brexit is harming consumer confidence and forcing retailers to spend hundreds of millions of pounds putting in place mitigations."

Author

Omkar Godbole

FXStreet Contributor

Omkar Godbole, editor and analyst, joined FXStreet after four years as a research analyst at several Indian brokerage companies.

EUR/USD flat lines around 1.1900; looks to US NFP report for fresh directional impetus

The EUR/USD pair is seen oscillating in a narrow trading band around the 1.1900 mark during the Asian session on Wednesday as traders opt to wait for the release of US monthly employment details before placing fresh directional bets.

GBP/USD recovers losses despite rising UK political risks, BoE rate cut bets

Pound Sterling advances against the US Dollar after registering modest losses in the previous session, trading around 1.3650 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair could extend losses as the Pound Sterling faces pressure from rising political risks in the UK and growing expectations of near-term Bank of England rate cuts.

Gold awaits US Nonfarm Payrolls data for a sustained upside

Gold remains capped below $5,100 early Wednesday, gathering pace for the US labor data. The US Dollar licks its wounds amid persistent Japanese Yen strength and potential downside risks to the US jobs report. Gold holds above $5,000 amid bullish daily RSI, with eyes on 61.8% Fibo resistance at $5,141.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple show no sign of recovery

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple show signs of cautious stabilization on Wednesday after failing to close above their key resistance levels earlier this week. BTC trades below $69,000, while ETH and XRP also encountered rejection near major resistance levels. With no immediate bullish catalyst, the top three cryptocurrencies continue to show no clear signs of a sustained recovery.

Dollar drops and stocks rally: The week of reckoning for US economic data

Following a sizeable move lower in US technology Stocks last week, we have witnessed a meaningful recovery unfold. The USD Index is in a concerning position; the monthly price continues to hold the south channel support.

XRP holds $1.40 amid ETF inflows and stable derivatives market

Ripple trades under pressure, with immediate support at $1.40 holding at the time of writing on Tuesday. A recovery attempt from last week’s sell-off to $1.12 stalled at $1.54 on Friday, leading to limited price action between the current support and the resistance.