Stabilizing policy expectations drive volatility lower
Markets are preternaturally calm, with most major pairs trapped in sub-20-pip ranges this morning after policymakers stuck to their “higher for longer” scripts during yesterday’s panel at the European Central Bank’s summit in Sintra, Portugal. The Bank of England’s Andrew Bailey delivered a relatively hawkish message, hammering it home by saying “I’ve always been interested that the market thinks the peak will be short-lived in a world where we’re dealing with more persistent inflation”. Christine Lagarde seemed to suggest that her shop could follow a widely-expected July hike with another in September. And Jerome Powell said a “strong majority” of...