Pound Soars As Court Demands Parliament Brexit Vote

LONDON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Nov, 2016 ) - The pound jumped against the Dollar and euro Thursday after the High Court in London ruled that parliament must approve the start of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

Sterling -- which has tumbled to multi-year low points against its main rivals since Britain voted June 23 for Brexit -- surged above $1.24. However the pound's big jump weighed on London's benchmark FTSE 100 index which has won strong support since the referendum outcome as the weak Currency benefitted exporters.

It closed down 0.8 percent. The court ruling has "made triggering Brexit a lot trickier and has given sterling a massive shot in the arm", said Neil Wilson, markets analyst at ETX Capital. "The news sent the pound roaring through $1.24 before gains were pared as markets digest the news -- the fact is no one really knows what the implications of this decision are yet." Downing Street said it was "disappointed" at the decision and would appeal, with the case now likely to go to the Supreme Court before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Bank of England on Thursday hiked its economic growth forecast for next year, as it froze its key interest rate at a record-low 0.25 percent and left stimulus unchanged. The BoE raised its prediction for 2017 GDP expansion to 1.4 percent from 0.8 percent as early fears of a sharp slump due to the shock of the June Brexit vote failed to materialise.

Ahead of the decision, a closely-watched survey Thursday showed output in Britain's key services sector rose last month despite costs rising at the fastest rate in more than five years. The Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers' index (PMI) hit 54.5 in October, up from 52.6 in September and above analyst expectations of 52.5.

A reading above 50 indicates growth. - US election in view - ======================= Meanwhile, markets elsewhere struggled with uncertainty over next week's presidential election sending investors rushing for the sidelines, pushing safe havens such as the Yen and gold higher.

Frankfurt shed 0.4 percent while Paris dipped 0.07 percent. Wall Street was also in the red in midday trading, with the Dow off 0.

01 percent. "Markets have reacted with cautiousness to political uncertainty that is seemingly flying in on multiple fronts," said CMC Markets analyst Jasper Lawler.

"Investors are not panicking but have been paralysed into inaction over the endless possible outcomes of the US election and Brexit." With just days to go until voting on November 8, maverick tycoon Donald Trump has narrowed the gap with market-favourite Hillary Clinton, whose lead had once been considered unassailable, upending early confidence.

The former secretary of state is considered by most investors to be a safer, more stable bet than Trump, who is seen as a loose cannon. "The move to take risk off the table continues," said IG analyst Chris Weston in Melbourne.

"We have reached a point where there is a buyers' strike, where money managers have reduced their risk." The rush for safety saw gold prices climb back above $1,300 an ounce Wednesday for the first time since the start of October.

Fears of a Trump presidency has led to speculation the Fed could hold off a December rate increase -- which has been largely priced into markets -- owing to fears about his impact on the economy.

- Key figures around 1630 GMT - =============================== Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2441 from $1.2298 Wednesday Euro/pound: DOWN at 89.17 pence from 90.24 pence Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1094 from $1.1097 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 103.00 yen from 103.35 yen London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.8 percent at 6,790.51 (close) Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.4 percent at 10,325.88 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.07 percent at 4,411.68 (close) EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.2 percent at 2,975.09 New York - Dow: DOWN 0.01 percent at 17,957.28 New York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.1 percent at 2,095.56 New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.5 percent at 5,081.43 Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.6 percent at 22,683.51 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 3,128.94 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a public holiday Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN 42 cents at $46.44 per barrel Oil - West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 63 cents at $44.71