The English Pound (GBP) flew to 1.9520 (0.5120) Wednesday, a fresh 2024 high against the Australian Dollar (AUD). UK CPI remained unchanged at 4.0% after a forecast of 4.1%. This is welcome news for the Bank of England as CPI should stay well contained within the 2.0% target band over the coming months. This should bring about further discussion on rate cuts and the timing of these. We think the central bank will cut rates starting mid-year (June). Aussie job numbers and unemployment came in light, unemployment at 4.1% after 4.0% was forecast. Overnight UK GDP m/m for December surprised markets with a print of -0.3% instead of -0.1% following a contraction in the September 2023 quarter of -0.1% confirming the UK economy is in a recession.
The current interbank midrate is: AUDGBP 0.5175 GBPAUD 1.9323
The interbank range this week has been: AUDGBP 0.5120- 0.5193 GBPAUD 1.9253- 1.9528