Sterling rises versus dollar

Sterling rose against the dollar on Monday after officials said the eurozone was likely to give a tentative go-ahead to releasing 44 billion euros in aid to debt-stricken Greece. The pound tracked a rise in the euro against the dollar after euro zone officials said finance ministers would unfreeze emergency loans to Greece on Tuesday. Sterling climbed 0.2 percent to $1.5910, moving away from a two-month low of $1.5828 hit last week.
Broad euro strength meant the single currency rose 0.4 percent against the pound to 80.50 pence, although resistance was expected around last week's high of 80.65 pence, and at the 200-day moving average around 80.78 pence. "Euro/dollar has broken higher and dragged euro/sterling with it. As a by-product cable (sterling/dollar) is also a bit better bid," said Jeremy Stretch, head of currency strategy at CIBC World Markets.
Stretch said the pound's strength against the dollar could be short-lived given the UK's weak economic outlook and he would be looking to take profit around $1.5950/60. That level marks the 38.2 percent retracement of the early to mid-November fall from around $1.6170 to $1.5830.
Some strategists said the positive sentiment surrounding a Greek aid deal was overdone and the prospect of more weak euro zone data ahead should cap gains. "There seems to be some misplaced optimism around Greece and from the debt talks, but more risks lie ahead," said Richard Driver, currency strategist at Caxton FX, adding euro/sterling below 80 pence would be fairer value.
Signs US politicians were willing to compromise to avert a $600 billion "fiscal cliff" of tax rises and spending cuts due to come in early next year also lifted demand for perceived riskier currencies against the safe-haven dollar. With little UK data scheduled, the main focus for sterling investors this week will be the release on Wednesday of minutes from the Bank of England's November meeting. Market players will scrutinise the minutes to try to gauge the likelihood of further monetary easing (QE). Analysts are expecting the vote against more easing in November was almost unanimous, but could look for clues on how policymakers view the government's recent decision to transfer the interest proceeds of QE from the BoE to the UK treasury.