GBPJPY Pound Sterling vs Japanese Yen

The pound depreciated against its major counterparts in the European session on Wednesday, as U.K. consumer price inflation eased to a 32-month low in August and Brexit uncertainty intensified after European president Jean-Claude Juncker cautioned that the risk of a no-deal Brexit was palpable.

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that consumer price inflation eased to 1.7 percent from 2.1 percent in July. The rate was forecast to ease moderately to 1.9 percent.

This was the lowest rate since December 2016 and well below the central bank's 2 percent target.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices gained 0.4 percent in August, slightly slower than the expected 0.5 percent.

Core inflation that exclude prices of energy, food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, slowed to 1.5 percent from 1.9 percent in July.

Another report from ONS showed that input prices declined for the first time since mid 2016 on crude prices. Input prices declined 0.8 percent on year in contrast to a 0.9 percent rise in July.

On a monthly basis, input prices dropped 0.1 percent reversing July's 0.6 percent increase.

Output price inflation eased to 1.6 percent from 1.9 percent a month ago.

Month-on-month, input prices dropped 0.1 percent after rising 0.3 percent in July.

Separately, the ONS said average house prices increased 0.7 percent in July, the lowest annual rate since September 2012. Prices had increased 1.4 percent in June.

On a monthly basis, average house prices decreased 0.3 percent in July.

Speaking to the European Parliament, Juncker said that no real progress in Brexit talks had been made, as the U.K. had not negotiated on an alternative plan to the backstop.

Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief negotiator, said that the UK "should not pretend to be negotiating" a Brexit deal with the EU.

Even if the UK is leaving the EU without a deal, the problems at the core of the Brexit talks would be resolved.

The currency held steady against its major counterparts in the Asian session, excepting the euro.

The pound declined to 1.2439 against the greenback, following an advance to 1.2506 at 8:00 pm ET. The pound is poised to challenge support around the 1.22 mark.

After an uptick to 1.2420 against the Swiss franc at 3:30 am ET, the pound pulled back to 1.2376. The pound is seen finding support around the 1.20 mark.

The pound depreciated to 134.60 against the yen, after having climbed to 135.24 at 11:00 pm ET. The pound is likely to challenge support around the 130.5 region, if it drops again.

Data from the Ministry of Finance showed that Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 136.329 billion yen in August.

That beat forecasts for a shortfall of 365.4 billion yen following the 250.7 billion yen deficit in July.

The U.K. currency dropped to 0.8881 against the euro, from a high of 0.8851 recorded at 5:45 pm ET. Next key support for the pound is possibly seen around the 0.90 level.

Data from the Eurostat showed that Eurozone inflation was stable in August at its lowest level in nearly three years.

Headline inflation was 1 percent in August, the same as in July. The rate was the lowest since November 2016.

Looking ahead, Canada consumer price index and U.S. housing starts and building permits, all for August, are scheduled for release in the New York session.

At 2:00 pm ET, the Fed announces its decision on interest rates. Economists widely expect the Fed to cut federal funds rate to between 1.75 percent and 2.00 percent.

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