Yesterday the euro declined after a German government official said the nation rejects proposals to combine current and permanent euro-area rescue funds. Germany rejects proposals to combine the current and permanent euro-area rescue funds, the government official told reporters in Berlin today on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private. The official’s comments came after the Financial Times reported yesterday that EU leaders may agree on a package including the existing 440 billion euro bailout fund and a new 500 billion euro facility.
Economists predict the European Central Bank will cut its benchmark interest rate at a policy meeting.
But later the euro rose against the dollar, erasing earlier losses, as some stocks advanced and optimism increased that European leaders will be able to agree on measures to help solve the region’s debt crisis.
EUR/USD: yesterday the pair has lost a floor of a figure, but restored later.
GBP/USD: yesterday the pair has grown on a figure.
USD/JPY: yesterday the pair holds in range Y77.60-Y77.80.
On Thursday the Bank of England MPC makes it's announcement at 1200GMT but this meeting is expected to be a non-event. Analysts are expecting the BOE to press on with its current round of Stg75 billion of quantitative easing, which is scheduled to be completed ahead of the February MPC meeting. The ECB announces it's rate decision at 1245GMT with the usual press conference following on at 1330GMT. The ECB is likely to cut interest rates and launch further liquidity support measures this Thursday, but it should not be expected to unveil aggressive measures to help control the borrowing costs of Eurozone governments.