The Office for National Statistics released UK Average Earnings Index data that came out better-than-expected of 3.4%, compared to forecast 3.2%.
Alok Sharma, the UK's minister of state for employment said: "2019 has continued to be a record breaker, with the employment rate topping 76% for the first time, record female employment and unemployment falling below 4% for the first time in 44 years. "
Historical Data Table: Average Earnings Index 3m/y | Economic Calendar for 20.03.2019 | ||||||||
Date | 16.10.2018 | 13.11.2018 | 22.01.2019 | 19.02.2019 | 19.03.2019 | 9:30 AM | UK CPI y/y | ||
Actual | 2.70% | 3.00% | 3.40% | 3.40% | 3.40% | 18:00 PM | US Federal Funds Rate | ||
Forecast | 2.60% | 3.00% | 3.30% | 3.50% | 3.20% | 21:45 PM | NZD GDP q/q | ||
Initial Reaction on Main Pairs | Open Position Proportions on 19.03.2019 | ||||||||
Open Price | Close Price | % Change | Longs | Shorts | |||||
GBP/USD | 1.3267 | 1.32797 | 0.10% | GBP/USD | 39.50% | 60.50% | |||
EUR/GBP | 0.85577 | 0.85504 | -0.09% | EUR/GBP | 70.21% | 29.79% | |||
GBP/CAD | 1.76693 | 1.76844 | 0.09% | GBP/CAD | 27.58% | 72.42% | |||
GBP/JPY | 147.667 | 147.801 | 0.09% | GBP/JPY | 32.47% | 67.53% |