Sterling sours as Brexit deal looks no........>

FOREX: Sterling sours as Brexit deal looks no closer

-GBP/USD cemented a third consecutive week of declines Friday, as headlines

knocked GBP/USD below the $1.30 handle. The opposition Labour party lashed out

at UK PM May, highlighting their disappointment that the government has not

offered "real change or compromise" in Brexit discussions, thereby making a

near-term deal less likely. Focus turns to the EU's response to the EU's appeal

for an flexible Brexit extension to June 30th.

-The US jobs report headline beat, but the details were mixed, with the biggest

miss on expectations for the participation rate since 2017 and much

weaker-than-expected average hourly earnings. In response, the USD initially

dipped but rallied firmly into the close. Ahead of the close, the USD index sits

just below the Apr2 highs of 97.517.

-The out-of-cycle ECB rate decision (brought forward by Easter) takes focus next

week, with UK production figures, US March CPI, PPI and advance Uni. of Michigan

sentiment all due. US earnings season begins in earnest, with updates due from

JPMorgan and Wells Fargo.