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  • From the FT in London, here's the latest on markets.

  • Sterling is in a sticky spot sinking briefly under $1.22 amid a nasty mix of factors

  • including today's House of Lords debate on the Brexit process, and softer-than-expected UK house price gains.

  • In addition, retail sales data provided signs of stress for the so-far resilient UK consumer,

  • with non-food retail sales dipping for the first time since 2011.

  • That all comes just as the dollar was on the up, boasted by increasingly firm expectations that the US will raise interest rates again as soon as this month.

  • All in all, it's a bad mix.

  • On the plus side, this could deliver a boost to UK stocks, which tend to benefit from a weaker currency.

  • Meanwhile, currency reserves across some of Europe's smaller and more recent markets are in focus.

  • Switzerland Central Bank said today that its foreign currency reserve have hit a new record.

  • A sign that it's slurping up Euros, to try and keep the Frank in check.

  • The Danes also reported a pickup in reserves last week, while also today, the Czechs reported a rapid accumulation.

  • Pressure on its limit on the currency is set to crank up sharply in the coming months.

From the FT in London, here's the latest on markets.

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B1 UK FinancialTimes currency sterling retail reported dollar

Sterling sinks while dollar rises | Market Minute

  • 346 24
    Colleen Jao posted on 2017/03/08
Video vocabulary

Keywords

process

US /ˈprɑsˌɛs, ˈproˌsɛs/

UK /prə'ses/

  • verb
  • To organize and use data in a computer
  • To deal with official forms in the way required
  • To prepare by treating something in a certain way
  • To adopt a set of actions that produce a result
  • To convert by putting something through a machine
  • noun
  • A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.
  • A summons or writ to appear in court or before a judicial officer.
  • A systematic series of actions directed to some end
  • Dealing with official forms in the way required
  • Set of changes that occur slowly and naturally
  • A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.
  • other
  • To perform a series of operations on (data) by a computer.
  • To deal with (something) according to a particular procedure.
  • Deal with (something) according to a set procedure.
  • To perform a series of mechanical or chemical operations on (something) in order to change or preserve it.
  • To perform a series of mechanical or chemical operations on (something) in order to change or preserve it.
  • Take (something) into the mind and understand it fully.
  • other
  • Deal with (something, especially unpleasant or difficult) psychologically in order to come to terms with it.
debate

US / dɪˈbet/

UK /dɪ'beɪt/

  • other
  • To argue about a subject, especially in a formal manner.
  • other
  • To consider something; to think about something carefully before making a decision.
  • To discuss a subject in a formal way.
  • To discuss a subject in a formal way, presenting different opinions.
  • noun
  • General public discussion of a topic
  • A discussion or argument on a subject where people express different opinions.
  • A formal event where two sides discuss a topic
  • A formal discussion or argument about a subject.
  • verb
  • To consider options before making a decision
  • To take part in a formal discussion
nasty

US /ˈnæsti/

UK /'nɑ:stɪ/

  • adjective
  • Dangerous or serious.
  • Offensive; indecent.
  • Unkind; unpleasant.
  • Very bad or unpleasant.
  • Very bad, unpleasant, or offensive
tend

US /tɛnd/

UK /tend/

  • verb
  • To move or act in a certain manner
  • To take care of
  • To regularly behave in a certain way
boost

US /bust/

UK /bu:st/

  • noun
  • An increase in something
  • verb
  • To increase something; to make something better
  • To push someone or something up from beneath them
  • other
  • To increase or improve.
stress

US / strɛs/

UK /stres/

  • noun
  • Emphasis on part of a word or sentence
  • Pressure on something or someone
  • A state of mental tension, worry due to problems
  • verb
  • To emphasize one or more parts of a word, sentence
  • To put pressure on something or someone
  • To say your opinion strongly
  • To be in a state of mental tension due to problems
expect

US /ɪkˈspɛkt/

UK /ɪk'spekt/

  • verb
  • To believe something is probably going to happen
  • other
  • To anticipate or believe that something will happen or someone will arrive.
  • To believe that something will happen or is likely to happen.
  • To require something from someone as a duty or obligation.
spot

US /spɑt/

UK /spɒt/

  • noun
  • A certain place or area
  • A difficult time; awkward situation
  • Place or ranking on a list
  • A small amount of (substance help hard work etc.)
  • Mark caused by a drop of liquid, food, etc.
  • verb
  • To see someone or something by chance
resilient

US /rɪˈzɪljənt/

UK /rɪ'zɪlɪənt/

  • adjective
  • Recovering quickly from something bad
  • Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
  • Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
  • Able to recover quickly from difficulties
  • Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
pressure

US /ˈprɛʃɚ/

UK /'preʃə(r)/

  • noun
  • Anxiety caused by difficult problems
  • Force, weight when pressing against a thing
  • Strong persuasion to do something
  • other
  • To apply pressure to something
  • Attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something.
  • To apply physical force to something.
  • other
  • The burden of physical or mental distress.
  • The difficulties in your life
  • The force exerted per unit area.
  • Force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries
  • The act of exerting influence or control.
  • Political or social force or influence.
  • A sense of urgency or stress caused by time constraints.
  • A feeling of stressful urgency caused by expectations
  • other
  • The exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, etc., in contact with it.
  • The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something.
  • The continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
  • The force applied in printing to transfer ink to paper or another surface.
  • Stress or strain caused by demands placed on someone.
  • verb
  • To apply force to something
  • To persuade or force someone to do something