GBP/USD bulls capped in their tracks as DXY firms following neutral FOMC minutes/Brexit rinse and repeat

• GBP/USD been capped on the dollar's correction following the FOMC minutes that were a slight disappointment to markets.
• The U.S. stock markets have been unable to spike on the event, signalling a pause in the risk-on central bank hysteria.
• GBP/USD is currently trading at 1.3063, up from a low of 1.3011 and now below session highs of 1.3110 due to a bid in the greenback.
• Brexit headlines filtering through with a joint statement on behalf of EU's Juncker And UK PM May.

GBP/USD has been a solid performer this week, relishing in the prospects of a soft Brexit where it is quite frankly inconceivable that the UK will leave next month with a deal, according to the majority of the markets. However, PM May warns that a no-deal is still on the table and preparations are being made for such a scenario.

However, the core to the pound's strength is related to the BoE and risk-FX overdrive of late. Recent UK data has been solid and a BoE rate hike will likely be on the cards, regardless of whatever type of Brexit. Inflation will need to be tamed in the case of a weaker pound on a hard Brexit or even in the case of a stronger economy if all goes well with the EU following the outcome of Brexit. Meanwhile, Juncker has said timing is of the essence and they have made progress today in a meeting that took place regarding the backstop where PM May has said that she had underlined the need for legally binding changes to the backstop at the meeting with Juncker. Additionally, FX markets have favoured the central bank meetings as an excuse to be long of risk, leading to a sell-off in the dollar. 

 

As far as the FOMC minutes event, it was not much of one and failed to inspire the bulls to keep buying the US indices. Instead, short-covering the greenback lifted the DXY from the session lows down at 96.29 to a post-event high 96.56. Additional work from the bulls will be required if the DXY is to break back above the menacing bearish H&S on the hourly charts, however - That level is located around 96.70. The FOMC minutes essentially echoed the neutral rhetoric we heard earlier in the week from Mester (hawk turned neutral) and Williams. The key takeaway is the Fed is considering the balance sheet policy for the latter part of 2019 and unsure what to make of the current climate with respect to their interest rate cycle - Thus, the Fed is neutral and seen holding for the foreseeable future. 

Key statements form FOCM minutes, (Source LiveSquawk):

• Participants noted maintaining current target range for fed funds rate ‘for a time’ posed few risks at this point.
• Staff gave options for ending balance sheet runoff in h2 this year.
• Almost all officials wanted to halt b/sheet runoff in 2019.
• Many officials unsure which rate moves could be needed in 2019.
• Policymakers agree it is ‘important’ to be flexible in balance sheet normalization.
• Policymakers agree it would be appropriate to adjust if necessary.
• Several participants saw further hikes appropriate in 2019 if economy evolved as expected.
• Patient posture allows time for ‘clearer picture’.
• - ‘few officials’ not concern over uncertainty not captured in dot plot;
• - seen strong household data recently;
• - officials note concerns over slowing growth, China;
• - concerns over trade, shutdown, fiscal policy;
• - seen some downside risks increase;
• - officials note volatility, tighter fin. Conditions.

GBP/USD levels

GBP/USD continues to show signs of near term recovery following its recent reversal ahead of the 61.8% retracement at 1.2740, as noted by analysts at Commerzbank who explained cable has overcome the 200-day ma at 1.3002 to alleviate downside pressure. "Our attention has reverted to the 1.3217 recent high. The intraday Elliott wave counts are conflicting."