The UK House of Commons gives preliminary approval of the Brexit bill but refused to pass it within three days. This timetable was requested by the Prime Minister, to complete all legislative procedures by October 31. Now, the further passage of the law has stalled until the EU replies with its extension how long the new postponement will last.
Brexit has returned to its normal state: the exit date postponed again, and all scenarios are still possible, although the chances of an exit without a deal are now negligible.
The British government says that if the EU provides a deferral with until January 31, it will be preparing for a new general election. The possibility of a new election and a third extended postponement put pressure on the British pound and provoked a decline in the stock markets, including in the US GBPUSD declined to 1.2850 in the morning after touching 1.3000 the night before. S&P500 finished the Tuesday session with a 0.4% decline.
However, the stocks are also under pressure because of several weak reports among the largest companies, traditionally considered as health indicators. The shares of McDonald’s, UPS, Texas Instruments declined lost from 3% to 10% overnight on the background of weak earnings reports, which strengthened concerns about the health of the US economy.
McDonald’s is considered by investors as an indicator of consumer sentiments, while UPS and Texas Instruments to a greater extent reflect the business activity. Under these conditions, macroeconomics, and expectations of central bank actions come to the fore.
Against this background, the dollar once again strengthens its position. The dollar index against a basket of 6 major currencies turned up this week after touching the 200-day average. EURUSD has been declining for the third day in a row, stumbling upon resistance around 1.1170 and never reaching its 200-day average.
The caution of traders before the ECB meeting and business activity data in the Euro-region may well put pressure on the single currency, causing a further correction of the euro against the dollar.
The British pound, as well as the euro, also looks vulnerable in the short term, correcting its previous rally. Corrective rollback to 73.4% of the initial GBPUSD rally suggests the possibility of declining the pair to 1.28. In the case of a deeper correction, the targets of the bears may be levels around 1.27, where the 200-day average is situated, which in recent days has turned from a resistance line to support.
