Federal Reserve Remains Hawkish (EUR/USD), Political Uncertainty In Westminster Circus (EUR/GBP, GBP/USD)

Summary:

• Fedspeak is back in the spotlight this week.
• EUR/GBP reached one-month highs last week.

Fedspeak is back in the spotlight after strong CPI inflation

The market is reflecting bearish signals for this currency pair. As markets process the strong CPI number from last week, Fedspeak is back in the spotlight this week. Given the lack of significant new data this week, market players will probably give Fed speech and corporate earnings more weight. Recent Federal Reserve speakers have kept up the "hawkish drum," with the majority seeing the lack of inflation progress as justification for continuing with aggressive rate hikes. Since recent remarks suggest the Fed is seeking some pain in both housing and employment in order to reduce inflation, the persistent tightness in the domestic labor market continues to be a talking topic for Federal Reserve officials. Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish comments at Jackson Hole, when Powell threw a warning shot across the financial markets' bow, abruptly shifted the atmosphere surrounding a soft landing. Market investors are still firm in their desire to price in a Fed policy reversal, but with inflation where it is, such a turnabout for the central bank is all but unthinkable.

✕ EUR/USD Price Chart

EUR/GBP reached one month highs

The market is reflecting bearish signals for this currency pair. The exchange rate between the pound and the euro reached one-month highs last week, but it may now find it difficult to rise much further in the days to come and even be at risk of new selling as the Westminster Circus once again devolves into the type of farce most typical of one of those vintage Carry On movies. With political instability and uncertainty once again at the top of the agenda, the pound surged strongly last week amid rumors that HM Treasury would withdraw some of the spending commitments made in the late-September budget.

✕ EUR/GBP Price Chart

GBP/USD recovered slightly

The market is reflecting bullish signals for this currency pair. The Pound to Dollar exchange rate has recently recovered significantly, but it may take a setback for the Dollar to advance further this week, in part because Sterling faces dangers related to the possibility of another Prime Minister in the Banana Republic of Westminster being booted from power. The news that HM Treasury would be able to postpone some of the spending promises made public in the late-September budget statement helped the value of the pound last week. However, political instability and uncertainty are once again at the forefront of this week's events.

✕ GBP/USD Price Chart

Sources: finance.yahoo.com, dailyfx.com, poundsterlinglive.com