Published: 29 Nov at 3 PM Tags: Euro, Pound Sterling, America, Eurozone, USA, France, Germany,
The Euro is holding steady against the majority of its peers in a day of light trading caused by the closure of US markets for the Thanksgiving holiday period.
The single currency pushed closer to a one-month high against the ‘Greenback’ following the release of better than expected Eurozone inflation data and as a separate report showed that the unemployment rate in the region fell for the first time in four years.
On a year by year basis the single currency blocs inflation rate climbed to 0.9% in November. Up from the four year low seen in October of 0.7%. The figure beat economist expectations for inflation to rise to 0.8%. The data caused the Euro to firm slightly as investors reduced their bets that the European Central Bank will now introduce monetary easing measures to support the flagging economic recovery.
In a separate report unemployment fell to 12.1% in October, down from the record high level of 12.2% in the previous month. Despite overall unemployment dipping slightly, youth unemployment increased to yet another record high. The jobless rate in
Spain also ticked higher due to the end of the summer holiday season which provided more working opportunities.
Other data showed that retail sales fell in
Germany and consumer spending fell in
France, increasing concerns that the country is sliding towards recession.
The single currency was able to strengthen slightly against the Pound due to the release of worse than forecast net lending to individuals data.
As of Friday, 29th November 2013, the Pound Sterling currency rates mentioned within this news item were as follows:
GBP EUR exchange rate was 1.2044, and GBP USD exchange rate was 1.6369.
About Author: Dominic Lee (474 Posts)With over ten years experience as an economist – including four years spent as a chief economist with a major currency broker – Dominic has acquired a wealth of knowledge which he uses to forecast market movements. Dominic now works as an independent business advisor and writes for several financial publications.