Dear Reader,

Today's overview of economic news and market action

• Investor sentiment was holding a positive tone yesterday …
• Sovereign bond yields moved lower across the board, led my UK Gilt yields …
• The more pronounced decline in gilts coincided with a modest softening in UK futures …
• Currency-wise, sterling remained on the defensive …
• EUR/GBP remains in the lower half of 86-87p …
• GBP/USD is operating down below the midpoint of $1.23-1.24 …
• EUR/USD is close to the midpoint of $1.06-1.07 …
• Today, the April flash PMI readings for the main advanced economies are due …

PMI fell to 49.6 in Mar. The slight decline reflected a fall in new business and output and a sharp drop in sentiment. Meantime, inflationary pressures in the sector continued to build

ECB signals June rate cut on the cards

As widely anticipated, the ECB’s Governing Council meeting for April saw the central bank maintain its key deposit rate at 4%. It marked the fifth consecutive policy meeting that the ECB has kept rates unchanged. There was “consensus” rather than unanimity within the Governing Council on the decision.

Geopolitical Tension to the Fore Once Again

This week was very much characterised by “risk-off” sentiment in markets, as rising geopolitical tensions boosted safe haven assets.