The EUR/GBP pair edged lower, slipping below 0.8300, as investors reacted to mixed UK employment data that offered little clarity on the Bank of England’s (BoE) policy path. While the UK job market showed resilience in some areas, concerns over wage growth and economic momentum kept markets cautious.
The report showed that unemployment remained steady, defying expectations of a slight rise. However, wage growth appeared to lose steam, raising questions about whether the BoE will maintain its cautious stance on rate cuts. The central bank has remained focused on inflation risks, and a softer labor market could increase pressure to ease monetary policy sooner than previously anticipated.
Meanwhile, the euro struggled to gain traction, weighed down by uncertainty surrounding the European Central Bank’s (ECB) next moves. With eurozone economic growth slowing, expectations for future rate cuts have limited the euro’s upside potential, leaving EUR/GBP vulnerable to further declines.
The pound found support as traders saw the UK labor market data as a sign of continued stability. While BoE policymakers have been reluctant to signal rate cuts in the near term, any further signs of economic cooling could lead to a shift in expectations, potentially influencing GBP’s performance in the coming weeks.
Broader market sentiment has also played a role, with investors reassessing global monetary policy trends and the relative strength of the UK and eurozone economies. If the BoE signals confidence in economic resilience while the ECB leans more dovish, the EUR/GBP downtrend could extend.
For now, traders are keeping a close watch on upcoming economic releases and central bank commentary, looking for more definitive cues on the policy outlook. If the pound remains supported, EUR/GBP could face additional selling pressure, keeping the pair under the 0.8300 level in the near term.