GBP/USD: Upbeat UK developments to fail to keep sterling bid amid growing global worries

GBP/USD has been advancing amid some calm on the vaccine front and upbeat UK retail sales. Nonetheless, sterling’s strength may be insufficient in the next dollar storm, Yohay Elam, an Analyst at FXStreet, reports.

Key quotes  

“The UK is pushing through with the next phase of reopening the economy amid its successful vaccination campaign. The government’s move does not face pushback from the medical community nor the opposition.”

“UK Retail Sales jumped by over 2% in February, showing the resilience of the economy just before the first phase of the reopening. It adds to the narrative that Britain is starting to recover from a strong base.”  

“EU leaders have toned down their rhetoric and seem reluctant to slap vaccine export bans – which threatened to derail the UK’s immunization campaign. However, this is also where potential troubles could begin – the bloc’s members also gave Brussels the authority to stop shipments and tensions remain high amid growing frustration about the EU’s sluggish vaccination campaign.”

“COVID-19 infections are rising in the US with 26% of the population vaccinated, the battle against the virus is far from over. Moreover, Friday’s Personal Spending and Personal Income figures for February will likely be more subdued, potentially dampening the mood.”  

“Another factor causing concern is the blockage of the Suez Canal by a stranded mega-ship. Several companies have already diverted vessels around Africa, bumping up costs for deliveries and disrupting global supply chains.”