Pound Extends Downtrend In Early European Deals

Extending its Asian session's slide, the pound slumped to new multi-day lows against other major currencies during early European deals on Tuesday following the release of U.K. visible trade balance report for January.

U.K.'s visible trade deficit increased sharply to GBP 8 billion in January, data from the Office for National Statistics showed today. The deficit for December stood at GBP 7 billion, revised from the initial estimate of GBP 7.3 billion. Consensus forecast was for a shortfall of GBP 7 billion.

The pound's slide began in early Asian deals today after a report from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors showed that U.K.'s house prices rose less than expected in February.

The pound weakened further from a 5-day low of 1.6111 against the franc hit at 2:30 am ET to a 6-day low of 1.6083 at 4:50 am ET Tuesday. Currently, the pound-franc pair is worth 1.6090, down from previous day's close of 1.6174.

Switzerland's consumer price index, or CPI, rose 0.9% on an annual basis in February, the Federal Statistical Office said today. Economists had forecast a rate of 1%, the same as in January. A year ago, inflation was 0.2% in February.

The CPI recorded a slight increase of 0.1% on a monthly basis. It was expected to rise by 0.2%.

At 4:50 am ET Tuesday, the pound traded at a 4-day low of 133.97 against the yen. The pound is now worth 134.32 against the yen, compared to 136.11 hit at yesterday's New York session close.

Falling further from a 6-day low of 1.4987 hit at 1:45 am ET Tuesday, the pound slipped to a 1-week low of 1.4940 against the U.S. currency at 4:50 am ET. The pound-greenback pair, which closed yesterday's trading at 1.5067, is now worth 1.4965.

The pound continued its decline against the 16-nation currency. From 5-day low of 0.9085 hit at 1:50 am ET, the pound fell to a 6-day low of 0.9099 against the euro at 4:50 am ET. The current quote for the euro-pound pair is 0.9083, compared to yesterday's close of 0.9052.