Sterling had a strong first quarter, supported by dwindling expectations of negative interest rates.
And by a fast roll-out of vaccinations against COVID-19 across Britain.
As shops, hairdressers, gyms, and pub gardens re-open across England, analysts expect a faster economic recovery in the UK.
More than the European Union, which is struggling to contain a devastating third wave of infections.
The UK Bounces Back
Traders will be watching PMI surveys for the UK, together with data on the labor market, inflation, and retail sales this week.
Both ING and UniCredit analysts told clients there was scope for sterling to strengthen to $1.40 this week.
Chris Turner, Global Head of Markets at ING, said: “The pound continues to find support on dips, and it seems like investors are happy enough staying positioned for the 2Q UK re-opening story.
“Today, we have already seen some encouraging April Rightmove house price data.”
The Rightmove property website said advertised prices for homes in Britain hit a record high.
Right after, finance minister Rishi Sunak stoked the market again by extending a tax cut for home-buyers last month.
Speculators’ net long position on the pound versus the dollar rebounded in the week to April 13.
After slipping to its lowest since February in the previous week, futures data from CFTC showed.
Versus a weakening dollar, the pound rose 0.4 percent to $1.3900.
Its highest level since April 6. It was 0.1 percent lower versus the euro at 86.61 pence after it hit its highest of 86.30 pence since April 8.
Lockdown Eases
Neil Jones, Head of Foreign Exchange Sales at Mizuho Bank, said: “Current domestic Covid data is encouraging, and a further easing of lockdowns will all point in the direction of the UK economy early out of the block; on economic recovery expectations.”
The optimism spread to the FTSE 100, with British shares on the rise and midcaps hitting a record high as gains in industrials and consumer discretionary stocks underpinned the market.
The blue-chip index edged 0.1 percent higher in choppy trading.
With gains being capped by a 0.8 percent decline in heavyweight energy shares, they tracked lower oil prices.
Drug firm AstraZeneca rose 0.4 percent.
It was among the biggest boost to the FTSE 100 after the Philippines said it would resume administering its COVID-19 vaccine to people below 60 years of age.
The domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index also gained 0.4 percent to touch a record high.
Economic Boost
Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid said: “Markets are back to being a bit dull for now but pretty buoyant.
“It’s a lighter week ahead, with the main highlight likely to be at the end of the week with the flash PMIs for April.
“And there’ll be particular attention on the price gauges as well as investors stay attuned to any signs of growing inflationary pressures.”
With the FTSE 100 gaining 8.7 percent year-to-date and the UK vaccine rollout continuing to progress.
The markets will have a chance to gauge the impact on the economy.
This is as employment data, retail sales, CPI, PPI, and flash April PMIs are all due this week.
Homebuilders added 0.6 percent on the Rightmove figures, and chemicals firm Johnson Matthey rose 0.9 percent.
After it signed a long-term agreement with Russian metals producer Nornickel for the supply of nickel and cobalt to produce materials used to make electric vehicle batteries.