Pound falls to 8-week low on new 'Brexit' poll

The pound plunged to its weakest level against the dollar in eight weeks on Friday after a new poll showed rising support for a vote to leave the European Union. The poll, conducted by the Independent, a British newspaper, showed 55% of U.K. voters intend to vote "leave" at the June 23 referendum. The British currency traded as low as $1.4180 after the poll was published, its weakest level since April 18. It traded at $1.4329 earlier in the session. The pound has fallen sharply this week as a spate of recent polls showed rising support for the "leave" vote. The British currency has shed nearly 2% of its value relative to the dollar so far this week.

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