MarketMoodz
Sterling dips as UK unemployment hits five-year high amid payrolls decline
Sterling slid about 0.5% to around $1.356 after new UK data showed a payrolls drop and unemployment rising to 5.2% in December. January payrolls data point to a softer labor market, with payrolled workers down 0.4% year-on-year to 30.3 million and 134,000 fewer payrolled employees since January 2025.
Key Takeaways
- GBP/USD around 1.356, down ~0.5% on the session
- Payrolled workers fell 0.4% y/y to 30.3 million in January 2026
- 134,000 fewer payrolled employees since January 2025; down 11,000 from December 2025
- UK unemployment rose to 5.2% in December, highest since January 2021
- FTSE 100 opened about 0.3% higher; CAC 40 +0.2%, DAX near flat
People Involved
- Samuel Fuller Director of Financial Markets Online
- Ruth Brand President, German Federal Statistical Office
Entities Involved
- Antofagasta plc Mining company
- BHP Group Mining company
- InterContinental Hotels Group Hospitality company
MarketMoodz Analysis
Investors should note softer payrolls and a rising unemployment rate argue against an earlier BoE rate-cut cycle, keeping gilt yields elevated and the pound vulnerable to further downside in the near term. If wage growth remains subdued, the BoE could tolerate a longer pause before cutting rates, which may limit downside for gilts and cap any sharp pound rallies.
Historically, the UK labor market has shown resilience even when unemployment rises, but this release does not include participation rate or wage growth data, complicating the read on overall slack. The cross-asset response—weak sterling offset by modest gains in European equities and flat U.S. futures—signals a cautious risk environment. Watch BoE guidance, any revisions to payroll figures, and new inflation signals that could shift rate expectations.
Source: Original Article
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