South Africa Retail Sales (YoY) came in at 3.3%, above forecasts (3%) in August

Lee Hardman at MUFG expects the BoE to start its hiking cycle in November, with stronger UK activity and employment data and firmer inflation supporting this view. Headline CPI rose to 3.5% in September, and MUFG anticipates inflation above 4.0% next year after the energy price cap reset. These developments are seen as favourable for further Pound strength near term.