Unemployment Rate Drops in August, GBP Lifts

UK Jobs Data Recovers Slightly

UK unemployment data posted a surprise rise in the number of employed persons of 20.4k in contrast to consensus expectations of a near 200k decline. The unemployment rate for August measured 4.2%, a slight drop from estimates and the prior print of 4.3%.

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The UK has experienced a notable easing in the job market – one of the telling signs that restrictive monetary policy is having an effect on the real economy. Central banks are broadly in agreement that a period of below trend growth and easing in the job market is required to bring inflation back towards target. The slight turn lower will not force the Bank of England to seek higher interest rates as inflation has broadly been heading lower and effects of higher rates are being felt across the board.

UK and EU PMI is up next, with previous prints failing to inspire. Germany and the UK both received lower revisions to their respective growth outlooks from the IMF in its latest World Economic Outlook, underscoring the difficulties that lie ahead.

Immediate Market Response

GBP/USD saw a slight lift after the release, helped somewhat by a weaker USD after US yields declines yesterday.

GBP/USD 5- minute chart

Source: TradingView, prepared by Richard Snow

— Written by Richard Snow for DailyFX.com

Contact and follow Richard on Twitter: @RichardSnowFX