Market overview

The ECB put a stop to the euro's surge as they hinted that there may not necessarily be an interest rate rise in May like many traders had believed leading to a hefty selling of the single currency and pushing it away from recent highs. GBP The BOE...

The ECB put a stop to the euro's surge as they hinted that there may not necessarily be an interest rate rise in May like many traders had believed leading to a hefty selling of the single currency and pushing it away from recent highs.

GBP

The BOE kept interest rates on hold at 4.5 per cent yesterday, the eighth consecutive month that the rates have remained unchanged. This didn't have too much effect on the FX markets as the decision was widely anticipated and the sterling managed to pull away from 15-month lows against the single currency.

USD

The dollar strengthened as weaker outlooks regarding interest rate differentials in the eurozone and the UK, coupled with stronger than expected jobless claims pushed the greenback higher.

EUR

The euro's three-day assault on the currency markets came to a halt as the ECB decided to keep interest rates on hold at 2.5 per cent.

JPY

The yen may gain on speculation that Japanese bond yields will head higher and slow the pace at which local investors are sending money overseas in search of higher returns.

Compiled by Commercial Foreign Exchange Travelex Malta. (Free phone: 800 77 33 22) www.travelex.com.mt

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