U.K. Pound Gains Before Bank of England Minutes Back Case for Higher Rates

(Bloomberg) -- The pound rose to the highest in more
than a week against the dollar on speculation the minutes of the
Bank of England's last meeting will reinforce the case for higher
interest rates.

Since the June 7 meeting, Governor Mervyn King and policy
maker Paul Tucker have again expressed concern about inflation,
underpinning expectations of an increase in borrowing costs. The
BOE will release the minutes on June 20. The pound also gained as
accelerating house prices added to the case for higher rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Pound Gains for First Week in Three Amid Speculation U.K. Rates Will Climb

(Bloomberg) -- The pound gained for the first week
in three on speculation the Bank of England will need to keep
raising interest rates to slow the economy.

BOE Governor Mervyn King this week said the bank ``may need
to take further action'' to contain inflation, a week after it
boosted the main lending rate to a six-year high. Monetary Policy
Committee member Paul Tucker said in a speech yesterday a pickup
in money growth is an ``amber light'' for future inflation.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News