US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
The UK gilts plunged Monday as investors shied away from safe-haven assets on the back of improvements and progress in the Brexit negotiations going on after Britain agreed a Brexit transition deal and investors received some clarity over a possible interest rate hike in May.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year gilts, jumped nearly 2-1/2 basis points to 1.46 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields surged close to 2 basis points to 1.77 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year too traded nearly 2 basis points higher at 0.91 percent by 10:05GMT.
Following a busy UK data calendar last week – with a downside surprise to inflation, a stronger-than-expected labor market report, and some so-so retail sales figures – this week’s docket is much lighter. While the final Q4 GDP data, due on Thursday, appear to be most notable, the headline rates of growth should remain unrevised at 0.4 percent q/q and 1.4 percent y/y.
Therefore, the more timely indicators due the same day – the services activity index for January and the GfK consumer confidence survey for March – should receive more attention. The latter will be watched for signs of any improvement in consumer sentiment after the drop in inflation and firming in the labor market suggested by this week’s data releases.
Also on Thursday, February BoE lending data is due, including mortgage approvals – a good indicator of activity in the housing market – which increased sharply in January, and consumer credit figures. Before then, on Wednesday the CBI Distributive Trade survey should bring some insights into how activity on the high street was affected by harsh weather earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 traded 0.32 percent higher at 6,942.91 by 10:10 GMT, while at 10:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Pound Strength Index remained highly bullish at 118.35 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
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