GBP struck again by Brexit impasse -The UK....>

FOREX: GBP struck again by Brexit impasse

-The UK currency underperformed all others Friday as progress on a revised

Brexit deal looks increasingly unlikely. Despite EU's Barnier outlining new

proposals for the so-called 'backstop' arrangement, this was swiftly followed by

reports that the UK had rejected the deal anyway, leaving the EU and UK at

loggerheads just days away from PM May's 'meaningful vote'. GBP/USD showed below

the $1.30 handle for the first time since Feb22, leaving bears eyeing the

200-dma at $1.2986.

-Greenback also lost ground against most others following a particularly messy

nonfarm payrolls print: just 20k jobs were added in February vs. Exp. 180k, but

average hourly earnings retained some strength. The USD index pulled off the

near-multi-year highs printed Thursday, retreating back toward the 100-dma.

-After three sessions of lower lows, NZD bounced slightly Friday, reclaiming the

100- and 50-dmas to repair the week's damage.

-US retail sales & CPI, Australian consumer confidence, the Bank of Japan rate

decision and key votes in the UK House of Commons take focus from Monday.