Finance
Sterling rises after UK economic data, US figures in focus
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 16, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Sterling rose against the euro and dollar after UK data, with BoE rate cut expectations unchanged. Traders now focus on upcoming US figures.
Sterling Climbs on UK Data, Eyes on US Economic Figures
By Stefano Rebaudo
Dec 16 (Reuters) - Sterling rose against the euro and the dollar on Tuesday after recent losses, as UK data left expectations for a Bank of England rate cut unchanged and traders shifted focus to U.S. figures due later in the session.
Britain's unemployment rate climbed to its highest since early 2021, while the composite S&P Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 52.1 in December - above forecasts in a Reuters poll but still below its long-term average.
Yields on two-year gilts, which are more sensitive to BoE policy expectations, edged up 1.5 basis points to 3.77%, having been up 1 bp just before the PMI release.
Markets are pricing around 60 bps of BoE rate cuts by the end of next year and about a 90% chance of a cut on Thursday.
Sterling gained 0.25% to $1.3410 and was up 0.35% against the euro at 87.59 pence, after earlier touching 87.89 pence - its weakest since December 3.
The U.S. dollar index slipped, while the euro firmed slightly against the greenback.
"We continue to think the BoE will cut faster than markets currently price, with the Bank Rate declining to 3% by the end of 2026. The PMI data does not change that view," said Jefferies economist Modupe Adegbembo.
"The improvement in the headline (PMI) measure is welcome, but it still points to sluggish UK growth at best," she added, warning that the real risk was that "labour market deterioration deepens from here".
Barring a major data surprise before Thursday's decision, BoE policymakers are expected to vote 5-4 to lower the benchmark rate to 3.75% from 4.0%, according to most analysts polled by Reuters.
The final piece of the puzzle will be Wednesday's release of November CPI inflation figures.
"We revised down our forecasts for 2026 growth and inflation recently as our concerns shifted from persistent price pressures to the growing likelihood of a demand slump," said Berenberg economist Andrew Wishart.
"Indications that job losses are mounting give us greater confidence in our view," he added, forecasting three rate cuts in 2026 and confirming that view even after the PMI data.
(Reporting by Stefano Rebaudo. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Sterling rose against the euro and dollar after UK data.
- •UK unemployment rate reached its highest since early 2021.
- •BoE rate cut expectations remain unchanged.
- •Markets anticipate a 90% chance of a rate cut on Thursday.
- •US economic figures are the next focus for traders.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sterling rises after UK economic data, US figures in focus
1What is the Bank of England?
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom, responsible for issuing currency, setting monetary policy, and maintaining financial stability.
2What is the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)?
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an economic indicator that measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing and services sectors.
3What are interest rates?
Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money or the return on savings, expressed as a percentage. They are influenced by central bank policies and economic conditions.
4What is currency fluctuation?
Currency fluctuation refers to the changes in the value of one currency compared to another, influenced by factors such as interest rates, inflation, and economic stability.
