- GBP/USD declines toward 1.2900 after posting large losses on Thursday.
- Safe-haven flows dominate financial markets in the European session on Friday.
- The near-term technical outlook points to a buildup of bearish momentum.
After closing in negative territory on Thursday, GBP/USD stays under bearish pressure and falls toward 1.2900 in the European session on Friday, as the US Dollar (USD) benefits from the negative shift seen in risk sentiment.
British Pound PRICE This week
The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies this week. British Pound was the weakest against the Swiss Franc.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.22% | 0.59% | -0.49% | 0.53% | 1.40% | 1.40% | -0.58% | |
| EUR | -0.22% | 0.40% | -0.51% | 0.50% | 1.21% | 1.38% | -0.61% | |
| GBP | -0.59% | -0.40% | -0.55% | 0.11% | 0.80% | 0.92% | -1.15% | |
| JPY | 0.49% | 0.51% | 0.55% | 1.03% | 1.67% | 1.87% | -0.30% | |
| CAD | -0.53% | -0.50% | -0.11% | -1.03% | 0.78% | 0.86% | -1.15% | |
| AUD | -1.40% | -1.21% | -0.80% | -1.67% | -0.78% | 0.16% | -1.83% | |
| NZD | -1.40% | -1.38% | -0.92% | -1.87% | -0.86% | -0.16% | -1.99% | |
| CHF | 0.58% | 0.61% | 1.15% | 0.30% | 1.15% | 1.83% | 1.99% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).
Wall Street's main indexes turned south after the opening bell on Thursday, helping the USD find demand in the second half of the day. Early Friday, the data published by the UK's Office for National Statistics showed that Retail Sales declined 1.2% on a monthly basis in June. This reading followed the 2.9% increase recorded in May and came in weaker than analysts' forecast of -0.4%, further weighing on Pound Sterling.
The economic calendar will not offer any high-impact data releases ahead of the weekend. Hence, the risk perception could continue to impact GBP/USD's action.
At the time of press, US stock index futures were down between 0.3% and 0.4%. In the meantime, the UK's FTSE 100 Index is down 0.6% on the day.
Investors will also pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials before the Fed blackout period starts this Saturday. Currently, the CME Group FedWatch Tool shows that markets are nearly fully pricing in a 25 basis points rate cut in September. This positioning suggests that the USD does not have a lot of room on the downside, even if Fed officials voice support for a rate reduction in September.
GBP/USD Technical Analysis
GBP/USD dropped below the lower limit of the ascending regression channel coming from early July and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart fell below 40, reflecting a buildup of bearish pressure.
On the downside, 1.2900 (psychological level, static level) aligns as immediate support before 1.2875 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement) and 1.2820-1.2830 (100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart, Fibonacci 50% retracement).
1.2930 (50-period SMA) could be seen as first resistance before 1.2960 (lower limit of the ascending channel) and 1.3000 (psychological level, static level).
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, aka ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD struggles to recover above 1.0900 as markets remain cautious
EUR/USD stays on the back foot and trades below 1.0900 following Thursday's sharp decline. Dovish comments from European Central Bank officials and the risk-averse market atmosphere make it difficult for the pair to stage a rebound on Friday.
GBP/USD falls toward 1.2900, looks to post weekly losses
GBP/USD continues to push lower toward 1.2900 in the American session on Friday. Disappointing Retail Sales data from the UK, combined with the US Dollar (USD) recovery amid souring mood, causes the pair to stay under bearish pressure ahead of the weekend.
Gold extends daily slide, trades near $2,400
Gold's correction from the record-high set earlier in the week deepens on Friday. With the US Dollar (USD) benefiting from safe-haven flows and the 10-year US yield holding steady above 4.2%, XAU/USD tests $2,400 and looks to post small weekly losses
Top 10 crypto market movers as Bitcoin and Ethereum hold steady ahead of $1.8 billion options expiry
Bitcoin and Ethereum hold steady above $64,000 and $3,400 as $1.8 billion in options expire on Friday. WazirX hack of $230 million potentially linked to Lazarus Group ushers correction in Shiba Inu, among other assets.
Week ahead – Flash PMIs, US GDP and BoC decision on tap
US data awaited amid overly dovish Fed rate cut bets. July PMIs to reveal how economies entered H2. BoC decides on monetary policy, may cut rates again.