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Fintech UK

GBP jumps versus Dollar and Euro on softer employment numbers

by Jamie Ashcroft
GBP jumps versus Dollar and Euro on softer employment numbers

The British Pound surged past $1.28 on Tuesday after the UK's unemployment rate unexpectedly declined.

At $1.2825, GBP was up 0.46% against the dollar in forex markets and was up 0.25% at €1.1707 against the Euro.

The Office for National Statistics reported that the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% in June, surprising economists who had anticipated an increase to 4.5%. This marks the first drop in the unemployment rate since December.

Alongside the falling unemployment rate, Average Earnings grew by 5.4%, surpassing expectations of 4.6%. However, this was a slight deceleration from the previous growth rate of 5.7%.

The stronger-than-expected jobs data has been taken as a potential signal that speculated future interest rate cuts by the Bank of England may not be so necessary.

Attention will turn to key inflation data scheduled for release on Wednesday.

by Jamie Ashcroft