British Pound to Recover as Chance of Brexit Deal Better than 50-50: Goldman Sachs
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- Still 75% chance of Brexit deal being achieved
- Pound Sterling could see 5% upside as a result
- But +-10% downside likely in event of a 'no deal' Brexit
- Pound-to-Euro rate @ 1.1160 today, Pound-to-Dollar rate @ 1.3107 at start of week
The Pound is firmer this week as markets look to put a floor under the sharp declines suffered on Friday, September 21 on renewed fears the E.U. and U.K. are headed for a 'no deal' Brexit.
We doubt the Pound is ready to recover all its losses and achieve levels near 1.13 again and argue it will take concrete signs on the progress of Brexit negotiations to trigger any meaningful rally in the Pound.
Traders have been bruised by U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's warning that without concerted engagement by European Union counterparts Brexit negotiations risk failure; May's comments came at a time markets were growing in confidence that a deal was in reach following a string of positive developments over the course of September.
May's extraordinary intervention in the debate followed a meeting of E.U. leaders in Salzburg where leader after leader lined up to quash hopes for a deal being secured under the current framework.
"After a few weeks of relief, GBP fell sharply following the EU summit in Salzburg, and comments from PM May that dug in on the UK’s negotiating position. The summit offered no progress on the Irish border nor the end-state terms and although expectations for any decisive action were low, the tense atmosphere has shaken the improving sentiment in GBP," says a note from the foreign exchange strategy desk at Goldman Sachs.
Near-term, we expect the Pound to continue reflecting swings in Brexit sentiment with gains seen on growing expectations for a deal, and losses to reflect deteriorating sentiment for such an outcome.
However, longer-term expectations for a recovery in the value of Sterling remain intact as the likelihood of a deal being secured by the E.U. and U.K. are high.
"Our base case remains that we get a deal with probability around 70%," say Goldman Sachs. "The political theatre around the Chequers proposal is dominating the headlines but ultimately we believe the path to a deal is likely through keeping vague the detail of the end-state."
News reports out on Monday suggest the U.K. Cabinet are moving towards establishing an united position around a more traditional Canada-style free trade agreement.
This move will likely secure the backing of Theresa May's 'Brexiteer' colleagues in parliament who have advocated for such an outcome and have argued for May to ditch the Chequers proposal.
And, the contingent of 'remainer' MPs in her party are also likely to back such a deal as it avoids the worst-case scenario posed by a 'no deal' Brexit.
Of course, the major sticking point remains the Irish border, but the E.U. have hinted at concessions on the matter at various points in September; and as such there is good reason to believe the obstacle can be navigated and a deal ultimately reached.
In the event of a deal, Goldman Sachs say we "should see GBP around 5% stronger vs. EUR and USD."
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Conservative Party Conference no Longer the Major Headline Risk it Once Was
Foreign exchange analysts will now be counting the upcoming Conservative conferences as the next major event to watch. Importantly, Theresa May's hand will certainly be strengthened heading into conference owing her adoption of a more combative stance towards the E.U.
May's media address on Friday went down well with party members and the prospect of any leadership challenge is greatly diminished, particularly if the U.K. say their preferred deal is a Canada-style one.
Speaking to constituents today, it is clear that EUs behaviour in recent days is increasing support for us leaving the EU. Ppl still want a deal but content to go without one, even folk who voted remain. Important statement from PM re rights for EU migrants in a no deal scenario.
— Penny Mordaunt MP (@PennyMordaunt) September 21, 2018
Therefore, downside risks to Sterling from political developments are greatly reduced.
"But clarity will only come following the October and (likely) November EU summits and subsequent parliamentary votes," warn Goldman Sachs.
Goldman Sachs say those with an interest in Sterling should fade an excessive moves in the currency - i.e. don't panic as there is unlikely to be any major development in Brexit negotiations until negotiation deadlines are in sight.
Recent volatility "is a reminder that until we see a deal, fading both excessive optimism and pessimism in GBP is the best short-term strategy," say Goldman Sachs.
No Deal Could see Pound Fall 10%
While a wait-and-see approach to Brexit negotiations is perhaps the most sensible approach to Sterling over coming weeks, foreign exchange participants and businesses will continue to buy downside protection against a major decline in the event of talks ultimately failing.
The downside risks to Sterling remain substantial in the event of a 'no deal'.
"The political environment at Westminster is fraught, and a breakdown of negotiations cannot be ruled out," says Adrian Paul, a foreign exchange strategist with Goldman Sachs in London
"If it were to happen, our FX strategists argue that a combination of heightened uncertainty and prospective adjustment could precipitate a 10% nominal Sterling depreciation in the first six months," adds Paul.
According to Goldman Sachs, if the UK were to leave the EU with 'no deal', two factors would be likely to precipitate a sharp depreciation in the Sterling exchange rate:
First, greater uncertainty would raise the risk premium embedded in Sterling assets.
Second, the UK would begin trading with the EU on the basis of WTO tariff rules.
Goldman Sachs 12 Month Forecasts for the Pound
On a 12 month horizon, Goldman Sachs forecast the Pound-to-Euro exchange rate to be at 1.11.
The Pound-to-Dollar exchange rate is forecast to be at 1.39.
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Lock in Sterling's current levels ahead of potential declines: Get up to 5% more foreign exchange for international payments by using a specialist provider to get closer to the real market rate and avoid the gaping spreads charged by your bank when providing currency. Learn more here
