CME Group Inc.

10/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/21/2026 15:10

British Pound futures climb on UK inflation and rate hike expectations.

British Pound futures moved higher for the fourth session in the last five, rising 1.63% since the October 14 close. Prices traded near their highest closing levels since mid-September as market expectations for a November Bank of England rate hike strengthened. UK consumer prices rose 3.5% year-over-year in September, exceeding the 3.4% forecast and accelerating from 3.1% in August, driven by a 29.8% jump in motor fuel prices and a 3.7% increase in services inflation. Additionally, UK unemployment fell to 4.7% in the three months through August, coming in below the 4.9% expectation. Interest rate markets are now pricing in a 95% probability of a rate hike to 4% on November 5, providing structural support for the currency ahead of the UK budget announcement.
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