It’s a pivotal time in currency markets.

Pound at risk of further falls this week

The central banks are itching to cut rates but want more proof that inflation is tamed.

Speaking of which, the latest UK inflation number is due out tomorrow and may fall below the 2% target.

For those requiring a stronger Pound Sterling, the news could cause a setback as the Bank of England could speed up the pace at which it lowers interest rates.

Bear in the mind, the Pound has been 2024's best performing major currency.

This is because the Bank of England has been slow to cut interest rates, having only cut once so far, in August.

At 5.0%, the UK’s base rate is the highest central bank policy rate in the G10.

Put simply, the Bank of England has the potential to cut aggressively, which would be expected to weaken the Pound.

As for Euro, the ECB has been quicker to act.

This Thursday, they may strike again.

Another 0.25% cut is expected but investors will be also listening for clues on future cuts.

The US Dollar is bucking the trend at the moment and showing strength.

Jobs data in the US has been surprisingly robust and inflation is stubborn.

It means the Fed may sit on their hands – which is boosting the Dollar.

Elsewhere in the market, we note some good gains for the Pound against AUD, CAD and NZD over the past week.

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

If you have a currency requirement, please get in touch so we can discuss timing and rates.

You can speak to us on 01872 487 500.

To find out our latest rates, please click below.

1. Great exchange rates
2. Quick and easy transfers
3. No transfer fees
4. Expert help and guidance
5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 15th October 2024 at 11:00

£1.00 GBP = 1.1990 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.3080 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9475 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.1465 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.8060 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.1265 CHF

• Want to Learn More?

• We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.

• Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

  

• Need to Send Money Abroad?

  • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
  • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
  • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

• Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
• Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
• All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

What will the Bank of England do next.

The Pound awaits Fed and BoE rate decisions…

A choppy market over the past week for the major currency pairs.

It’s likely a pause for breath before this week’s big news…

Later today the US Federal Reserve is due to meet.

With US inflation back down to 2.5%, a 0.25% cut in rates looks likely. Some analysts are suggesting 0.5% is possible as the Fed has been slow out of the blocks.

At Thursday lunchtime, it’s the Bank of England’s turn in the spotlight.

An interest rate cut in the UK is not likely but with economic growth flatlining it may cause the Bank of England to think long and hard.

The interest rate decisions and forward guidance over the coming days may be enough to trigger a break-out of the current narrow trading ranges.

If you don’t want to take the risk, you can always lock-in an exchange rate now.

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

Please get in touch to discuss your situation.

You can call us on 01872 487 500.

To find out our latest rates, please click below.

1. Great exchange rates
2. Quick and easy transfers
3. No transfer fees
4. Expert help and guidance
5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 18th September 2024 at 11:00

£1.00 GBP = 1.1875 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.3325 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9490 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.1245 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7970 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.1150 CHF

• Want to Learn More?

• We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.

• Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

  

• Need to Send Money Abroad?

  • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
  • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
  • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

• Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
• Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
• All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

There has been a lot of news in the past few days about the future of Travel to Europe from the UK, will there be new rules, a possible visa to apply for etc.

I hope I can help ease the confusion over what is actually changing and when with this timeline, hope it helps you understanding.

- 10th November 2024 (confirmed)

EU entry-exit system comes into effect, requiring British Passport holders to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric on entry to the European Union and wider Schengen Area 9but not Ireland or Cyprus).

- May 2025 (not confirmed, but no earlier):

Etias online permit becomes available, with a transitional period of at least six months during which Etais is optional.

- November 2025 (not confirmed, but no earlier):

Etias transitional period ends. A period of grace begins this gives travellers without an Etias a one-time only pass.

- May 2026 (not confirmed, but no earlier):

Grace period ends and all British passport holders must have an Etias.

I hope this helps.

Get expert advice about the Buying & Selling process in France, Post Brexit rules, Healthcare, Currency Exchange and much more.

Get Your Free PDF Guides here

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Pound hits 12-month highs against Dollar

It’s been a busy week for Pound Sterling…

Overall, you would have to say a positive one.

UK economic growth is picking up, unemployment is falling, and inflation has nudged up, but only a little.

In terms of currency moves, it’s all over the shop.

The Pound is sitting at 12-month highs against the US Dollar and looks to be headed the same way with the Canadian Dollar.

Against the Euro, the Pound is struggling to find a clear direction.

And against the Aussie and Kiwi Dollars, the Pound has lost some ground.

Irrespective of the daily and weekly moves, I think the key driver over the coming months will be the Bank of England rate decisions.

Despite UK inflation nudging up to 2.2%, markets have priced in 2 more rate cuts from the remaining 3 meetings in 2024. That’s a big shout.

Markets in general seem to be pricing in plenty of rate cuts all around the world.

The Europeans have been a bit quiet lately – no doubt on lengthy holidays. But on Thursday we get a glimpse of the latest ECB minutes – which will reveal the current thinking within the ECB.

As for the mighty US Fed, they’ve been rather timid. This is unusual as they normally lead the way and the rest follow like lemmings.

But markets are predicting the Fed will catch up fast. A 25 basis point cut is forecast for September, followed by a further 75 basis points before the end of the year. That will take some doing. If it happens, we expect more Dollar weakness ahead.

With all the volatility in exchange rates, we’ve seen a lot of activity in August.

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

If you would like to discuss your situation, we are happy to help.

Please do get in touch on 01872 487 500.

To find out our latest rates, click below.

1. Great exchange rates
2. Quick and easy transfers
3. No transfer fees
4. Expert help and guidance
5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 21st August 2024 at 11:10

£1.00 GBP = 1.1720 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.3027 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9330 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.1220 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7726 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.1141 CHF

• Want to Learn More?

• We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.

• Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

  

• Need to Send Money Abroad?

  • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
  • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
  • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

• Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
• Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
• All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Pound falls as inflation falls

But fear not, it’s not all bad news…

We mentioned a few weeks ago that the Pound was the best performing major currency of 2024.

While it sounds impressive, it also means expectations are high.

Any bad news is likely to make the Pound trip up.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a general drift down in the Pound against most of its rivals.

The one exception to this has been the US Dollar.

The GBP/USD rate has been up at 2-week highs this week – fears of a US recession have weakened the Dollar.

Today the Pound has been hit by important news.

UK inflation has come in lower than expected. It will be viewed as an opportunity for more potential cuts in interest rates.

Note - cuts in interest rates tend to weaken a currency.

But fear not, it’s not all bad news.

In a broader sense, the Pound has still had a good start to 2024. The UK economy is slowly improving (helped by lower inflation) and there might even be a halo effect from a new government.

The point is currencies are rarely a one-way street. There are usually opportunities for buyers and sellers if you keep a close eye on things.

If you have an upcoming requirement, please get in touch so we can discuss your timeframe and expectations.

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

If you would like to discuss your situation, we are happy to help.

Please do get in touch on 01872 487 500.

To find out our latest rates, click below.

1. Great exchange rates
2. Quick and easy transfers
3. No transfer fees
4. Expert help and guidance
5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 14th August 2024 at 11:30

£1.00 GBP = 1.1655 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2845 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9375 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.1350 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7600 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.1084 CHF

• Want to Learn More?

• We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.

• Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

  

• Need to Send Money Abroad?

  • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
  • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
  • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

• Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
• Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
• All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk