Dear Reader,

Today's overview of economic news and market action: 

• Throughout last week, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment …
• At the same time, a number of key central bank meetings also garnered significant attention …
• Notably, both the Fed and BoE left policy on hold …
• Currency-wise, the main FX pairs operated within narrow trading bands throughout the week …
• Of the limited moves, the yen and sterling were on the defensive, while the dollar was slightly firmer …
• This sees EUR/USD open today back near $1.15 …
• GBP/USD is in the lower half of $1.34-1.35 …
• EUR/GBP is in the top half of the 85-86p range …
• This week, the flash PMIs (June) and US-core-PCE (May) are due …
• Remarks from a number of central bank officials and developments in the Middle East will also be in focus …

All rates quoted are indicative market rates.

The June meeting of the US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee. (FOMC) saw the central bank leave policy on hold. The target range for the Fed funds rate was maintained at 4.25-4.50%. This represented the 4th meeting in a row where the Fed left policy unaltered and was very much in line with market expectations.

The June meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary policy committee (MPC) saw the central bank leave the Bank rate unchanged at 4.25%. This followed a 25bpd reduction in May. Today's decision for unaltered rates was very much in line with the market expectations. So far in the current easing cycle, which began in August last year, the BOE has caught a total of 100bps.