The British Pound is powering higher after BoE policy maker Michael Saunders suggested during a speech on inflation that if activity and inflation indicators remain in line with recent trends and downside risks to growth and inflation do not rise significantly ‘ then it may become appropriate fairly soon to withdraw some of the current monetary stimulus…’. Saunders went on to say that one option would be to curtail the current QE program – set to end at the end of this year – in the next month or two and ’before the full GBP150 has been purchased’. Saunders also said that further monetary policy action next year may also be an option.

Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash 

This hawkish turn by Saunders has seen Sterling turn sharply higher, pressing back against 1.3900 against the US dollar. EUR/GBP has also turned lower and is nearing 0..8510 and yesterday’s multi-month low around 0.8500.

GBP/USD 5 Minute Price Chart (July 15, 2021)

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