The British pound has been on a roll this year, rising against the US dollar, the euro, and even the mighty Swiss franc. While the pound is still below its pre-pandemic levels, this recent strength makes it the most successful major currency in 2023. What's leading to this shift? Look no further than the Bank of England's aggressively increasing interest rates.
You've probably heard about the recent turmoil in the world's banks. It's not hitting the UK as hard as some might expect. The British economy might be better prepared to withstand a global recession. The Bank of England's robust rate hikes have spurred investor interest as they search for higher returns, strengthening the pound compared to currencies of countries with less hawkish central banks.
Although, even with the pound soaring, Britain isn't completely out of the woods. Inflation in the UK hasn't slowed down either. The rise is significant and reflects the persistent high cost of living. The Bank's task is balancing the need for rate hikes to control inflation while avoiding overly restrictive policies that drag the economy down. It's not a walk in the park, but the recent resilience of the pound gives some reason to be optimistic about the UK economy. Maybe 2023 is the year for Britain to make a comeback, at least in the currency world!