Finance

Sterling rises even as BoE cuts rates, Britain poised for US trade deal

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on May 8, 2025

Featured image for article about Finance

LONDON (Reuters) -The pound rose on Thursday, after the Bank of England delivered a widely expected cut to interest rates, just as Britain was poised to strike a deal with the United States on trade.

The BoE cut its main rate by a quarter point to 4.25%, despite an unexpected three-way split among policymakers as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs weigh on global economic growth.

The pound was last up 0.2% on the day at $1.3311, having rallied from a session low of $1.3242 right before the BoE decision.

UK stocks pared some of the day's gains, but still showed a gain, with midcap stocks up 1%, outpacing the blue-chip index, which rose 0.2%.

UK government bonds came under pressure, sending 10-year yields up 3.5 bps on the day to 4.491%, from 4.446% right before the BoE decision.

(Reporting by Amanda Cooper; Editing by Alun John)

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category

;