FOREX-Sterling on backfoot as political turmoil dogs Brexit process

Published 03/09/2019, 01:36
Updated 03/09/2019, 01:40
© Reuters.  FOREX-Sterling on backfoot as political turmoil dogs Brexit process
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* Graphic: World FX rates in 2019 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

* Sterling limps into Asian trading after big fall

* Weak data knocks euro lower

* Brexit vote could set tone for global financial markets

By Stanley White

TOKYO, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Sterling wallowed near a more than

two-year low on Tuesday on growing investor worries about a

"no-deal Brexit" as rival British lawmakers fought for control

over negotiations to leave the European Union.

The euro fell to the lowest in more than two years as weak

economic data from the EU underscored expectations for the

European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at a meeting next

week.

The yuan will come into focus during Asian trading after it

slipped to a record low versus the dollar in offshore trade due

to fading hopes for a resolution to the U.S.-China trade war.

The pound is likely to remain under pressure ahead of a vote

in Britain's parliament about Brexit later on Tuesday, the

outcome of which could trigger an early election and Britain's

exit from the EU without trading agreements.

A messy exit from the EU is certain to weaken the pound, but

it could roil other currencies as investors adjust their

positions to exit trades in riskier assets.

"The pound is being sold all over the place, because the

political risk has forced us to recognise that a no-deal Brexit

is possible," said Junichi Ishikawa, senior foreign exchange

strategist at IG Securities in Tokyo.

"At this point, I see no reason to stay long in sterling."

Sterling traded at $1.2063 GBP=D3 , flat so far in Asian

trading but close to the lowest in more than two years. The

pound tumbled 0.8% on Monday, its biggest decline in more than

three weeks.

The euro was flat at 90.91 pence EURGBP=D3 , holding onto a

0.7% gain on Monday.

A group of lawmakers will put forward a vote on Tuesday on

whether to seize control of the parliamentary agenda to try to

force a three-month delay to Britain's EU exit deadline of Oct.

31. Johnson raised the stakes on Monday, however, effectively

turning it into a confidence vote by making it clear that if the

government was defeated, it would hold a vote on Wednesday to

approve an early election, most likely to be held on Oct. 14.

Some politicians have warned that a no-deal Brexit should be

avoided at all costs, because leaving the EU without trading

agreements in place could cause economic turmoil.

Elsewhere in currency markets, the dollar index =USD rose

0.27% on Tuesday to 99.082, reflecting weakness in other major

currencies. U.S. financial markets were closed on Monday for a

public holiday.

In the offshore market, the yuan CNH=D3 traded at 7.1940

per dollar, close to its weakest since international trading in

the currency began in 2010.

The yuan weakened after Bloomberg News reported that Chinese

and U.S. officials are struggling to agree a schedule for a

round of trade negotiations that were expected this month.

The United States and China have been locked in a bitter

trade dispute for more than a year, which is causing the global

economy to slow.

The euro EUR= fell to $1.0954 in Asia on Tuesday, which is

the lowest since May 2017. The common currency fell 0.2% on

Monday. Sentiment for the euro had already weakened after it

broke below the key $1.1000 level last week.

The euro weakened further after a survey on Monday showed

European manufacturing contracted for seven straight months.

The Australian dollar fetched $0.6712 AUD=34 , down 0.07%

in early trade.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to keep its cash

rate at a record low of 1% on Tuesday, though it will likely cut

again two more times to boost inflation and support a stuttering

economy, a Reuters poll showed.

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