GBP/USD Forecast: How low can the pound go? Boris Johnson is breaking it down


  • GBP/USD has been extending its massive sell-off, falling to 29-month lows.
  • Boris Johnson's refusal to meet his European peers is weighing heavily.
  • Tuesday's daily chart is pointing to oversold conditions, implying a bounce.

When it rains, it pours – GBP/USD has lost over 250 pips in less than two days of trading – a rare feat in currency markets. UK PM Boris Johnson is behind the move with his drive toward a hard Brexit. The new PM – less than a week in the job – is refusing to meet his European counterparts unless they agree to reopen the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The Europeans are unimpressed. Fresh reports suggest EU leaders are "ready to call Boris Johnson's bluff" and hold a no-deal summit on October 17th – two weeks before the October 31st deadline.

If nothing changes by Halloween, the UK will crash out of the bloc without an accord, potentially causing massive economic disruption. While some analysts have suggested that all of the colorful PM's actions are part of an upcoming election campaign, investors have hit the panic button.

Johnson's approach to talks follows on his previous actions. On his first in the office, he nominated hardline Brexiteers to senior positions in his cabinet and set up three committees to prepare for a hard Brexit. One of these committees is led by Michael Gove, who said that the prospects of leaving without an accord are "very real." While Johnson rejected Gove's claims on Monday, his unwillingness to speak to leaders across the channel weighs heavily. 

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that the "Dangerous UK government" is intent on forcing a no-deal Brexit after meeting the Johnson – echoing market worries. He will travel to Wales today and his public statements will be followed closely. Will he offer a more nuanced or balanced approach? Markets will be scrutinizing every word.

Elsewhere, global traders are awaiting the all-important Federal Reserve decision on Wednesday. The baseline scenario is for the Fed to cut interest rates for the first time since the crisis but signal that no further moves are due soon. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains high.

See Fed Preview: The currencies to trade in each of these four scenarios

The bank's preferred measure of inflation – Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (Core PCE) – is due out today and set to tick up from 1.6% to 1.7% in June. The outcome will likely have a minimal effect on the decision. Later on, the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence measure is set to show an upbeat mood among consumers. 

See US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Preview: Happiness is relative or are your relatives happy?

All in all, Brexit and Boris Johnson are in the limelight, with some room for Fed speculation to have its say.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis – Heavily oversold

GBP USD technical daily chart July 30 2019

To get a perspective about the magnitude of the pound's decline, we are zooming out to the daily chart. The Relative Strength Index has dipped below 30 – indicating oversold conditions. Such conditions are already at extreme levels on the four-hour chart.

The RSI implies a bounce, but it is unclear when it may come and far it may go. Downside momentum remains fierce and GBP/USD continues trading below the key 50, 100, and 200-day Simple Moving Averages.

The fresh low of 1.2118 is the initial line of support. It is followed by 1.1985 and 1.1866 which were swing lows in early 2017 and late 2016. 

Some resistance awaits at 1.2225 which is the daily high. It is followed by 1.2305 which served as resistance in early 2017 and then by 1.2380 (Friday's low) and 1.2440 (a previous double bottom).

More GBP/USD Forecast: Three big levels to watch after Brexit-related meltdown

 

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD consolidates gains below 1.1400 on weaker US Dollar

EUR/USD consolidates gains below 1.1400 on weaker US Dollar

EUR/USD consolidates its recovery gains below 1.1400 in early Europe on Monday. Upbeat risk sentiment on Trump's tairff concession news fails to lift the US Dollar, supporting the pair. US-China trade headlines will continue to dominate ahead of Fedspeak. 

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD climbs above 1.3150 as USD sellers refuse to give up

GBP/USD climbs above 1.3150 as USD sellers refuse to give up

GBP/USD preserves its bullish momentum and trades above 1.3150 in the European session on Monday. The sustained US Dollar weakness suggests that the path of least resistance for the pair remains to the upside. US-China trade updates remain in focus. 

GBP/USD News
Gold retreats from record-high, holds above $3,200

Gold retreats from record-high, holds above $3,200

Gold pulls away from the new record-high it set at $3,245 at the weekly opening but manages to hold comfortably above $3,200. Easing concerns over a deepening trade conflict between the US and China seem to be causing XAU/USD to enter a consolidation phase.

Gold News
Six Fundamentals for the Week: Tariffs, US Retail Sales and ECB stand out

Six Fundamentals for the Week: Tariffs, US Retail Sales and ECB stand out Premium

"Nobody is off the hook" – these words by US President Donald Trump keep markets focused on tariff policy. However, some hard data and the European Central Bank (ECB) decision will also keep things busy ahead of Good Friday.

Read more
Is a recession looming?

Is a recession looming?

Wall Street skyrockets after Trump announces tariff delay. But gains remain limited as Trade War with China continues. Recession odds have eased, but investors remain fearful. The worst may not be over, deeper market wounds still possible.

Read more
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

Read More

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures

Best Brokers of 2025