Brexit and Covid-19 drive record sterling trading in latest Bank of England survey

The Bank of England’s latest FX trading survey shows how sterling trading exploded in October amid the twin pressures of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.

Euro/sterling daily trading leapt to a record in October, according to the latest semi-annual survey from the Bank of England (BoE).

Average turnover reached $82 billion, up 50% from the previous survey in April. Turnover of USD/GBP, meanwhile, rose 11% to $326 billion.

The analysis, conducted by the bank’s foreign exchange joint standing committee, covers 27 financial institutions active in the UK FX market.

The swaps data series has been … difficult to understand

Simon Manwaring, NatWest Markets
Simon-Manwaring-NatWest-Markets-960.png

Sterling volumes were driven by the UK’s departure from the European Union as well as the meltdown in risk markets and their subsequent recovery, which led to heightened volatility, said analysts.

Thanks for your interest in Euromoney!
To unlock this article: