GBP/USD Exchange Rate Heads Higher on Brexit Progress The Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate continued to rise today, hitting a 31-month best as optimism over a post-Brexit trade deal has given a boost to UK market mood. Nonetheless, Richard Hunter, the head of markets at Interactive Investor, warned that hopes for a ‘final breakthrough on Brexit negotiations remained finely balanced’. "‘Sterling has seen some benefit from the irrepressible optimism that a last-gasp agreement will be made, although comments from the negotiators on both sides remain guarded" said Hunter. Today also saw Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, say that there had been ‘good progress’ made in trade talks, despite ‘last stumbling blocks’ remaining.