Daily Exchange Rate Report
As of 11:00 on 29 December 2025, the live market exchange rate for GBP to RMB is 1 : 9.4796. Throughout the latter half of this month, the rate has fluctuated within the 9.45-9.48 range. The primary factor has been the mid-December UK PMI data (Composite 52.1), which exceeded expectations and surpassed market forecasts of 51.4, easing recessionary fears and providing effective support for the Pound.
Weekly Highlights
Metal trading "frenzy" as non-USD currencies surge Londoners staying put: Outward migration hits historic low Health Secretary advocates joining the European Customs Union Beckham family feud escalates further King Charles and Prince William plan New Year visits to the US
01 Metal trading "frenzy" as non-USD currencies surge
On 26 December, during the closing stages of 2025, global financial markets showed signs of adjustment. During that day’s New York trading session, the precious metals market strengthened collectively, with several assets hitting historic highs.
Spot gold prices surpassed $4,550/oz, spot silver broke the $79 mark, and COMEX copper futures recorded a cumulative annual gain of 45%. Spot platinum rose by over 170% across the year, while palladium surged by more than 111%.
Simultaneously, non-USD currencies saw a broad recovery. The South Korean Won and Japanese Yen, which had previously been weak, showed signs of rebounding. European currencies performed exceptionally well: the Swiss Franc rose 15.13% against the dollar annually, the Euro gained nearly 14%, and the Pound appreciated by almost 2% in December alone, with an annual gain exceeding 7%.
Conversely, the US Dollar Index continued to weaken, falling by approximately 10% over the year. Industry analysts suggest the dollar’s weakness stems from external interference in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy independence, compounded by US economic structural imbalances, tariff policies, and inflationary pressures.
Market sentiment suggests that if the current dollar weakness is not merely a short-term fluctuation, a new cycle of a weak dollar may have begun.
02 Londoners staying put: Outward migration hits historic low
On 27 December, statistics from relevant agencies revealed that only 5.6% of London buyers chose to move out of the capital this year, the lowest proportion since 2013. This figure is down from 8.2% in 2022, with the number of outward property purchases shrinking from 103,000 in 2021 to 57,666.
Meanwhile, the relocation radius has also contracted, with the average moving distance dropping to 71.6 miles—10 miles shorter than last year and returning to 2021 levels. This is primarily due to stabilising interest rates, reduced housing costs, and a return to commuting, which has encouraged London buyers to seek homes in the suburbs.
Popular areas for property purchases were concentrated around the M25. Chigwell in Essex was particularly favoured, with 53% of properties bought by Londoners (a 35-percentage point increase from last year). Chatham in Kent was also popular, with half of its properties purchased by London buyers. Surrey and Essex also featured prominently on the list.
In terms of buyer demographics, the share of first-time buyers fell slightly to 31%, with an average purchase cost of £298,000 (up £13,450 from last year). Home movers saw their share rise to 42.5%, with an average purchase cost of £457,000.
Researchers noted that stable interest rates and house prices have dampened the incentive for Londoners to move far away, leading them to choose local upgrades. If mortgage costs fall further next year, it is expected that even more Londoners will choose to stay in the capital or the surrounding suburbs.
03 Health Secretary advocates joining the European Customs Union
On 22 December, British media reported that Health Secretary Wes Streeting suggested the UK should join the European Customs Union. He stated that this move would allow Labour to differentiate itself from Reform UK, rather than winning elections by mimicking rivals, which aligns better with Labour’s values.
Streeting pointed out that Brexit has had a significant economic impact and that re-establishing closer trade ties with the EU is a vital path to driving economic growth.
However, this proposal has been interpreted by the media as a public challenge to Keir Starmer. Starmer has twice explicitly stated in the past month that he would not adjust policies regarding the Customs Union to avoid jeopardizing existing trade deals with India and the US.
Internal sources suggest Streeting’s comments may be an attempt to win support from pro-EU Labour members. A poll by The Times showed that 80% of former Labour supporters believe the new leadership should adjust existing policies and negotiate a customs union with the EU.
04 Beckham family feud escalates further
On 26 December, media reports highlighted changes in the Beckham family’s social media interactions. David and Victoria Beckham have reportedly unfollowed their eldest son, Brooklyn, who, along with his wife Nicola, has reciprocated. This move has made their three-year-long family rift public.
The conflict reportedly began at Brooklyn’s 2022 wedding, where disagreements arose over the wedding dress and music choices. Issues surrounding Nicola’s father’s wealth and post-wedding financial support further deepened the divide.
After the wedding, Brooklyn changed his surname and resided long-term at the Peltz family estate. In 2024, further tension arose due to emotional entanglements between the brothers.
Sources reveal that during the festive period, Brooklyn and Nicola stayed at the Peltz mansion in Miami and confirmed they would not spend Christmas with the Beckhams, leaving the family elders deeply disappointed by the missed reunion.
05 King Charles and Prince William plan New Year visits to the US
On 27 December, British media reported that King Charles III and Prince William plan to visit the United States in 2026 to deepen bilateral relations.
King Charles III's visit is expected to take place in April 2026. If it proceeds, it will be the first visit by a reigning British monarch to the US in nearly 20 years. The last was in 2007 when Queen Elizabeth II visited at the invitation of President George W. Bush.
Prince William plans to visit North America between June and July 2026 during the FIFA World Cup (hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico) in his capacity as President of the Football Association. The trip coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Reports suggest that after the US suspended billions of pounds in tech investment due to regulatory disagreements, the UK hopes to use "Royal Diplomacy" to bolster trade negotiations and maintain the "Special Relationship."
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