Latest data released by CBI – 23 February 2021
CBI notes that:
„With lockdown measures still in place, trading conditions remain extremely difficult for retailers. Record growth in Internet shopping suggests that retailers‘ investments in online platforms may be paying off, but the reopening of the sector can’t come soon enough to protect job losses and breathe

Comments by UK prime minister, Boris Johnson
– But not guaranteed that will be the case
In case you missed it, he set out the timeline for the reopening and the stages that the UK will go through in his announcement yesterday .

The pound is the best performing major currency today
If anything else, it highlights the conviction in the pound at the moment and this continues to make it tough to really challenge for a push lower.

Risk sentiment leans towards the softer side today
Nasdaq futures are bearing the brunt of things with tech hurting once again after yesterday’s drop. Futures are down by 1.4% as compared to Dow futures‘ 0.2% decline.

Latest data released by Eurostat – 23 February 2021
– CPI +0.9% vs +0.9% y/y prelim
The preliminary report can be found . No change to initial estimates as this reaffirms a bounce in inflation figures to start the year.

Dollar pares earlier gains to sit lower on the day again
Elsewhere, commodity currencies have also pared their drop a few hours ago with AUD/USD turning back up to 0.7887 from 0.7860 earlier and NZD/USD moving back above 0.7300 after a brief dip below the figure level to start the session.

Lagarde is scheduled to speak some time around 1430 GMT
She will be speaking at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU, where she will be delivering opening remarks alongside a host of prominent figures in the region. The agenda can be found .

EUR/USD moves back up as the dollar erases earlier gains on the session
The dollar is turning back lower after a bit of an advance earlier on, with commodity currencies creeping higher and cable also back above 1.4000.

ANSA news agency reports on the matter
Although vaccine optimism is providing hope for a better outlook in the euro area going into the summer, the current conditions still call for caution as the virus situation is still rather tense; although it has been improving in recent weeks.

Bild reports on the matter
The report says that German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is seeking a four-stage plan to loosen restrictions though she did not disclose the details in a CDU party meeting today. Adding that a working-level group is expected to work out said details tomorrow.