Pound hits 33-month high over $1.39 as Covid vaccine optimism lifts markets – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsIntroduction: Pound strongest against US dollar since late April 2018UK vaccination programme on trackJapan’s Nikkei highest since 1990US crude oil back over $60/barrel 9.47am GMT Jaguar Land Rover, the UK-based manufacturer, will produce only electric models under its Jaguar brand as part of a set of sweeping changes brought in by its new chief executive. 9.35am GMT Here’s Reuters’ take on the pound’s rally this morning:The British pound climbed above $1.39 for the first time in nearly three years on Monday, lifted by broad-based dollar weakness as well as Britain’s success in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.The currency has been a key gainer against a struggling greenback this month as the aggressive rollout of the vaccination programme in the United Kingdom raises hopes its economy will be able to recover quickly, compared to its European peers.British pound above $1.39 for first time in nearly three years https://t.co/wNFnf7IgtW pic.twitter.com/qMsHL41D5Q Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2021/feb/15/pound-high-ftse-oil-bitcoin-covid-19-vaccine-optimism-lifts-markets-business-live #business #economics #stock_markets #ftse #sterling #currencies