The markets are focused on the Brexit / Bremain debate, one week before the planned EU Referendum. Today, the situation became tragic with the killing of a Labour MP named Jo Cox. The attacker was caught and is being investigated.
It is still unclear why she was shot dead. We do know for sure that she was a pro-Remain, like the majority of her party. From here on, the rumors begin.
First, there is a report about that the murderer shouted “Britain First”. This is a call associated with the far-right in the UK. The report is unconfirmed. The bigger rumor is that the government is considering suspending the EU Referendum.
With markets already on the edge and after GBP/USD almost touched 1.40 on more negative polls, this turned the fate around, with a leap to 1.4232, 220 pips off the lows. Short covering? Profit taking?
It seems quite unlikely that the referendum will be suspended. A significant pause for reflection and mourning is likely, as we have seen in the past with the strong democratic tradition in the UK, but to allow the murderer to totally change the calendar seems far out.
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