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Pound struggles after sharp fall Sterling steady after sharp fall
(about 2 hours later)
Sterling has slipped again against the US dollar after a massive fall on Monday - the largest in percentage terms since 1992. Sterling has struggled to remain steady against the US dollar after a massive fall on Monday - the largest in percentage terms since 1992.
The pound was trading at $1.479, as against $1.483 at the previous close. The pound recovered to $1.484, as against its close of $1.483 on Monday.
On Monday it fell 5.2% against the dollar as yet more bad economic data pointed towards a prolonged recession and further interest rate cuts.On Monday it fell 5.2% against the dollar as yet more bad economic data pointed towards a prolonged recession and further interest rate cuts.
Sterling was almost steady against the euro on Tuesday, at 1.176, compared to 1.174 euro on the previous day. Sterling was also steady against the euro on Tuesday, at 1.176, compared to 1.174 euro on the previous day.
POUND STERLING v UNITED STATES DOLLAR: 02 December 2008*All Times GMTPOUND STERLING v UNITED STATES DOLLAR: 02 December 2008*All Times GMT
The pound's fall on Monday was the largest since the sterling crashed out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in 1992.The pound's fall on Monday was the largest since the sterling crashed out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in 1992.
Sharp falls in the FTSE 100 index - down 5.2% on Monday - served to undermine the currency. "The environment of very weak sentiment regarding the domestic economic picture and potential rate cuts alongside equity volatility is keeping sterling very much on the defensive," said Jeremy Stretch, strategist at Rabobank.
The poor economic data increases the likelihood that the Bank of England will cut interest rates on Thursday. On Tuesday the pound also hit a 13-year low against the Japanese yen, at 137.14.
HSBC confirmed on Monday it is cutting 500 jobs across the UK, while carmaker Aston Martin announced it will cut 300 full-time and 300 temporary jobs. Sterling woes
Mortgage approvals also fell in October, according to figures released by the Bank of England, suggesting house prices may fall even further. Figures showed that house prices in Britain fell to their lowest level in three years, while manufacturing output was contracting at a record pace.
The poor economic data increases the likelihood that the Bank of England will cut interest rates sharply on Thursday.
Lower interest rates make it less attractive to hold sterling.
Also on Tuesday, the euro slid against the dollar on increasing expectations that the European Central Bank will also slash its interest rate this week.
Euro traded at $1.259 in early European trading, down from $1.267 in late New York trading on Monday.
In worrying economic times, the dollar tends to benefit as investors seek more secure assets, such as US Treasury bonds.