Currency outlook: Emergence of Omicron rocks currency markets at the end of 2021

OMICRON VARIANT: Actually heped to reverse the downtrend in the euro currency.

OMICRON VARIANT: Actually heped to reverse the downtrend in the euro currency.

Euro
EUR/GBP: Unmoved at £0.84
EUR/USD: Up from $1.12 to $1.13
The euro has fluctuated over the past month, with the single currency initially struggling amidst concerns over a resurgence of Covid cases in Europe.
However, the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant then actually helped to reverse this downtrend as concerns over the new strain helped to limit the pricing in of policy divergence between the European Central Bank (ECB) and its peers, on the assumption it would result in a more cautious outlook from the central banks.
The euro also found support in the wake of the ECB December policy meeting, in spite of the bank announcing plans to temporary increase its asset purchases to cushion the impact of winding down its pandemic-era stimulus in March.
However, the subsequent announcement from most European nations that they would be imposing new restrictions to combat the spread of the Omicron variant then weighed on EUR sentiment towards the end of December.
Looking ahead, the focus for EUR investors will be on how long these restrictions remain in place, with the euro potentially getting off to a poor start in 2022 if it looks like these measures could last more than a couple of weeks.
Pound
GBP/EUR: Down from €1.19 to €1.18
GBP/USD: Up from $1.33 to $1.34
The pound also traded in a wide range over the past four weeks, as the currency was rocked by the Bank of England’s (BoE) latest interest rate decision.
Ahead of its December policy meeting, GBP investors were initially confident the BoE would raise interest rates, before these expectations quickly faded with the emergence of the Omicron variant, with analysts assuming the bank would opt to wait for more information about the new strain before acting.
This resulted in Sterling spiking after the BoE surprised markets by ultimately choosing to hike interest rates following its final policy meeting of 2021.
Elsewhere we have seen the introduction of the UK government’s ‘Plan B’ Covid restrictions apply some pressure to GBP exchange rates in recent weeks, while speculation over further measures have also infused volatility into the pound.
Turning to the start of 2022, we might see the introduction of new Brexit customs regulation place some pressure on Sterling, as they threaten to further disrupt trade between the UK and EU.
US Dollar
USD/GBP: Unmoved at $0.74
USD/EUR: Down from €0.89 to €0.88
The US dollar climbed to new year-to-date highs over the past month as renewed Covid fears tied to the Omicron variant, gripped markets and bolstered the appeal of the safe-haven US dollar.
Reinforcing the upside in the ‘greenback’ was growing speculation the Federal Reserve might accelerate the tightening of its monetary policy, particularly after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the recent spike in US inflation can no longer be described as ‘transitory’.
While the Fed ultimately confirmed it will accelerate the tapering of its pandemic-era stimulus, Powell’s comment’s suggesting it would be ‘inappropriate’ to begin hiking interest rates before the tapering process is complete, undermined hopes for an earlier hike and dented USD exchange rates.
The US dollar also gave up some additional ground in late December as reports indicating that Omicron results in fewer hospitalisations than previous Covid strains, cheered markets at the expense of the ‘greenback’.
The US dollar could quickly bounce back at the start of 2022 however, on the expectation that Omicron restrictions might dampen global growth prospects for the first quarter of the year.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca
and South Costa Blanca.
Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914
Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.comwww.currenciesdirect.com

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments


    • samir sardana

      08 January 2022 • 21:54

      Omicron is JUST the start.It is the South African mutant

      There are many more in the pipeline,and can be mapped by races and temperature zones.So we are in Winter,and at least 3 variants,should arise from EUROPE and RUSSIA ,and 1 more from PRC.

      That would be the minimum.

      Then we have to see the impact of the Omicron saturation strategy,to block out Covid – just like the ADS based on saturation.Is this natural or man made ? It thinks like a human !

      The 1st plague was COVID
      Then came the VAX for COVID
      The 2nd plague is OMI
      And the VAX does not work on it
      The 3 rd …………………………….

      The strategy is to CROWD AND SATURATE THE HUMANS,with a virus,such that the preceding viruses,do not have a host.In each iteration,the target is to kill off millions.

      Ultimately,the VAXED will start shedding viruses in large numbers,and so quarantine zones will HAVE TO BE CREATED.The Unvaxed are infected,(and the total numbers,will explode),due to the saturation model,and the virus shedding.

      Since the vaxed have compromised,immune systems – a new virus affecting a different body part, is in the pipeline – which will then prey,on the said immune systems – and cause overload and death.

      In any case,jobless quarantined people sitting on their butts,watching TV,will develop morbidties, and with a failed immune system,will die soon.

      It is a mass extinction event – the elimination of the human dinosaur.It is the ONLY strategy as the VIRUS NEEDS A HUMAN HOST TO replicate and mutate.Hence,the only solution is to eliminate the HOSTS,There is no other way.

      Look at the map of the world.What is the purpose of the existence of India,Nepal,Khmer, Laos, Vietnam,Indon-ass-eaah ……, What is their contribution to the world ?

    • samir sardana

      08 January 2022 • 21:54

      Omicron is JUST the start.It is the South African mutant
      There are many more in the pipeline,and can be mapped by races and temperature zones.So we are in Winter,and at least 3 variants,should arise from EUROPE and RUSSIA ,and 1 more from PRC.
      That would be the minimum.
      Then we have to see the impact of the Omicron saturation strategy,to block out Covid – just like the ADS based on saturation.Is this natural or man made ? It thinks like a human !
      The 1st plague was COVID
      Then came the VAX for COVID
      The 2nd plague is OMI
      And the VAX does not work on it
      The 3 rd …………………………….
      The strategy is to CROWD AND SATURATE THE HUMANS,with a virus,such that the preceding viruses,do not have a host.In each iteration,the target is to kill off millions.
      Ultimately,the VAXED will start shedding viruses in large numbers,and so quarantine zones will HAVE TO BE CREATED.The Unvaxed are infected,(and the total numbers,will explode),due to the saturation model,and the virus shedding.
      Since the vaxed have compromised,immune systems – a new virus affecting a different body part, is in the pipeline – which will then prey,on the said immune systems – and cause overload and death.
      In any case,jobless quarantined people sitting on their butts,watching TV,will develop morbidties, and with a failed immune system,will die soon.
      It is a mass extinction event – the elimination of the human dinosaur.It is the ONLY strategy as the VIRUS NEEDS A HUMAN HOST TO replicate and mutate.Hence,the only solution is to eliminate the HOSTS,There is no other way.
      Look at the map of the world.What is the purpose of the existence of India,Nepal,Khmer, Laos, Vietnam,Indon-ass-eaah ……, What is their contribution to the world ?

    Comments are closed.