Summary:
Sterling fell against the euro but remained at a two-year high. BOE's Megan Green said US tariffs may hurt the eurozone, with unclear impact on the UK.
Sterling fell on Friday against the euro but the pair still perched at the highest level in over two years. US tariffs will likely hurt the eurozone and its impact on the UK is unclear, said BOE policymaker Megan Green.
The ECB cut interest rates for the fourth time this year on Thursday and kept the door open to further easing ahead as inflation closes in on its goal and the economy remains weak.
It removed a reference to keeping rates "sufficiently restrictive", while the bloc has been unsettled by Trump's protectionism and political turmoil in Germany and France.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday formally applied for a vote of confidence in his government. This is the first step on the road to snap elections scheduled for February.
French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce his choice for France's next prime minister, according to the Elysée palace, eight days after Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
British consumer morale hit a four-month high in December as households grew more comfortable with their finances, a survey showed, while other indicators showed a post-budget slide in business sentiment.
The single currency languished well below 50 SMA around 0.8326 per pound, signalling further weaknesses. The rally could be capped by the resistance of 0.8310.
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Thursday marked the week's final settlement before Easter, with light trading. Brent and WTI rose about 5%, their first weekly gain in 3 weeks.
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