Sterling had a good day yesterday with most of the news generated outside of the UK once more. Sterling started lower against the Euro before rallying throughout the afternoon finishing the day above the 1.20 level with increased fear surrounding the Euro zone. However, a record drop in consumer credit has led to many people believing that there could be another round of quantitative easing in February which could slow sterling’s upward progress. Out later today there is manufacturing data which could amplify the fragility of the UK economy. Call in now for the latest update and the latest news.

The Euro held its relative strength in the morning with the Greek Prime Minister stating that the country had made significant progress in the debt restructuring talks. The latest rumors suggest that a deal should be completed before the weekend. German unemployment data came in better than expected but overall the Euro zone’s unemployment is now at its highest level since the euro was introduced. With weak German retail sales and French consumer spending, rumours of a second bailout in Portugal, the on-going problems surrounding Greece and bad economic data in the US the Euro weakened significantly in the afternoon against sterling and the US$ as risk aversion came to dominate the market. Call in now for the latest update and the latest news.

In the US there was a raft of bad data out including U.S. consumer confidence declining in January well below the expected level reiterating the fact that although the US economy is moving forwards it is not going to be in a straight line and will be slower than anticipated. Out today we see the release of manufacturing and non–farm payrolls employment data. Call in now for the latest update and the latest news.

Elsewhere, the Canadian dollar reacted poorly to weak GDP data and a higher than expected fall in the raw materials price index. Not helpful when your economy is reliant on commodity exports. Today we have the release of manufacturing data for China and retail sales data for Switzerland. The Swiss franc is approaching the €1.20/Chf1 level which is the exchange rate at which the Swiss National Bank has stated it will defend. We wait and see. Call in now for the latest update and the latest news.

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