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Pound Traders Shut Out Brexit Talks Noise Until ‘Real Deadline’

For pound traders, anything short of a Brexit resolution one way or the other, is a distraction.

Pound Traders Shut Out Brexit Talks Noise Until ‘Real Deadline’
A cluster of one pound sterling coins sit on a British Union flag, also known as a Union Jack, in this arranged photograph in London, U.K. (Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg)

For pound traders who have weathered more than four years of Brexit talks, anything short of a resolution one way or the other by the beginning of November is a distraction.

Analysts say that in order for both sides to prepare for new trade terms in 2021, there needs to be at least a broad outline of what they’ll be at the start of next month. Combined with what could be a contentious U.S. presidential election, that is leading to the cost of hedging against swings in the pound peaking in three weeks.

“Two months is the absolute minimum required to legislate for a deal, if one is done,” said Adam Cole, head of currency strategy at RBC Europe. “So early November is the real deadline. If it’s clear at that point that we are heading for no deal for sure, we have around 5% downside across the board.”

Pound Traders Shut Out Brexit Talks Noise Until ‘Real Deadline’

Traders weren’t overly vexed Friday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that the U.K. is preparing to leave without a trade deal, with MUFG Bank strategist Lee Hardman describing that as political posturing. It dipped 0.2% in early Sydney trade on Monday to $1.2892, following a U.K. ratings cut from Moody’s Investors Service late Friday and rising virus cases.

No Panic

Traders have grown accustomed to filtering out political noise, after suffering years of negotiations that yielded no results and seeing deadlines come and go. Also, this time around, trade talks are competing for market impact with the spread of the coronavirus.

Even with the U.K.’s transition period from the EU ending soon, sterling is pricing in only a “modest” no-deal risk premium, according to MUFG. It recommends a short tactical position on the pound versus the dollar given rising Brexit risks and a resurgence in Covid-19.

Pound Traders Shut Out Brexit Talks Noise Until ‘Real Deadline’

“The outlook for the U.K. economy is darkening heading into year-end, which could encourage the Bank of England to deliver more stimulus next month,” MUFG’s Hardman and Derek Halpenny said in an emailed note.

Jobless figures are up the most on record after the spread of Covid-19 caused the worst recession in more than a century. The downturn has already led to record-low Bank of England interest rates and money market bets on further cuts, another millstone for any gains in the currency.

Britain’s standing in the eyes of rating agencies has deteriorated. Moody’s on Friday cut its rating by one notch to Aa3, with a stable outlook. The firm cited softer economic growth, an erosion of fiscal strength and a weakening in institutions and governance.

Get it Done

Johnson said the nation is preparing for an Australian-style trade deal with the EU, which is essentially a no-deal Brexit. Companies would trade on terms set by the World Trade Organization in most areas, with tariffs on goods and an agreement on the processes to reduce some regulatory barriers.

The U.K. and EU’s chief negotiators, David Frost and Michel Barnier, will speak again early this week. The U.K. still wants to reach a trade agreement and the door is open for more negotiation, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said Sunday.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney warned Thursday that once negotiations move into November, the two sides are running out of time to reach a deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled that the EU should make a move in the U.K.’s direction.

“Sterling is really just waiting for whether to move in the deal or no deal direction, and I’d be concerned if there wasn’t an agreement by the end of November,” said Mikael Olai Milhoj, an analyst at Danske Bank A/S. “While the U.S. election will cause volatility for all currencies, November will be particularly bad for the pound.”

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.