The U.S. dollar was broadly muted on Wednesday despite strong economic releases. Starting with the second revised estimates for the GDP, data from the commerce department showed that the U.S. economy advanced 3.3% in the quarter ending in September. This was above the forecast of a 3.2% increase.
Separately, pending home sales data showed a 3.5% increase on the month, beating estimates of a 1.1% increase for October. However, September’s data was adjusted down to show a decline of 0.4%. The Fed Chair Janet Yellen testified in her prepared remarks that the central bank will be hiking interest rates this December.
Across the pond, the British pound surged following the news reports that the EU and the UK were likely to reach a settlement that was akin to progressing Brexit talks. No firm commitment has been made just yet but the British PM, Teresa May, is expected to visit Brussels on Monday to engage with her EU counterparts.
Looking ahead, economic data today will see the flash inflation estimates from the Eurozone. Both headline and core CPI rates are expected to rise higher following their weakening in the previous month. The U.S. core PCE data is also expected to be released later in the day.
