GBP/USD continues to have an uneventful week. The pair has edged lower on Wednesday, as it trades at 1.2920 in the North American session. On the release front, UK Construction PMI improved to 53.1, above the forecast of 52.1 points. In the US, ADP Nonfarm Payrolls dropped to 177 thousand, very close to the forecast of 178 thousand. The ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI improved to 57.5, beating the estimate of 56.1 points. Today’s key event is the Federal Reserve’s policy statement, with no change expected in the benchmark interest rate. On Thursday, the UK publishes Services PMI and Net Lending to Individuals, while the US will release unemployment claims.
Despite all the angst over Brexit, British economic data continues to surprise, as the economy continues to perform well. PMI reports for March, key gauges of economic activity, have been stronger than expected. Construction PMI rose to 53.1 points, marking a 4-month high. Earlier in the week, Manufacturing PMI climbed to its highest level since 2014. At the same time, market concerns are again rising ahead of the first phase of negotiations between Britain and the European Union. The EU has toughened its stance in recent weeks, and there’s no denying the bad blood between the sides, following some testy exchanges between Prime Minister May and EU President Juncker at a frosty meeting this week. If the two sides remain at loggerheads and the negotiations reach an impasse, May has warned that "no deal is better than a bad deal". However, a ‘hard Brexit’, in which Britain leaves the EU without a comprehensive deal in place, would likely take a toll on the British economy and send the pound to lower levels.
French voters will head back to the ballot box on Sunday, with Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen vying for the next president of France. European stock markets have been very steady in the second round of the campaign, as opinion polls continue to show a comfortable majority for Macron:
The polling average line looks at the five most recent national polls and takes the median value, ie, the value between the two figures that are higher and two figures that are lower.
Source – BBC
French Election Timeline
May 3 – TV debate between the two remaining candidates
May 5 – [from midnight] Poll blackout
May 7 – Second round of French presidential elections. Last polls close at 19:00 BST / 14:00 EDT, with an exit poll result announced immediately.
May 11 – Official proclamation of the new President.
May 14 – [from midnight] End of Francois Hollande’s mandate
June 11 – First round of legislative elections
June 18 – Second round of legislative elections.
