GBP/USD Weekly Forecast: Pound Sterling looks to recover recent losses in crucial NFP week

• Pound Sterling turned south after facing rejection at 1.2700 against the US Dollar.
• US Nonfarm Payrolls and Powell’s testimony to hog the limelight in the week ahead.
• Looking ahead, GBP/USD buyers stay hopeful whilst above the 200-day SMA at 1.2576.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) returned to red against the US Dollar (USD), reversing the previous week’s rebound. GBP/USD ran into offers once again near 1.2700, as the US Dollar (USD) paused its corrective downside.

Pound Sterling eases as US Dollar stalls correction

The Pound Sterling failed to sustain the previous week’s upbeat momentum and gave into the modest rebound staged by the US Dollar, as the sentiment around the Greenback continued to be supported by the expectations of delayed interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed).

The US Dollar paused its correction from three-month highs, despite softening Core Personal Consumption Expenditures - Price Index (PCE), as the probability for a June Fed rate cut remained more or less the same. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge aligned with estimates of 2.8% YoY in January but eased from December’s 2.9% increase.

The Greenback also drew support from the recent hawkish comments from several Fed policymakers, who continued to push back against bets for an early Fed policy pivot. Earlier this week, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid, a new hawk, noted that the “Fed should be patient, wait for convincing evidence that inflation fight has been won.” Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said on Tuesday that slower-than-expected progress on inflation has left her cautious about the monetary policy stance.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said Thursday that the recent data shows the road back to the central bank’s 2% inflation goal will be “bumpy.” Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, also speaking Thursday, said he expects rate cuts later this year but didn’t specify when. 

Markets are currently pricing in just about a 25% chance that the Fed could begin easing rates in May, much lower than an over 90% chance a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. For the June meeting, the probability of a rate cut now stands at about 65%, up from 60% at the start of the week.

On the US data front, US Durable Goods Orders slumped by 6.1% in January while the CB Consumer Confidence index dipped to 106.7 in February. Both figures missed the market expectations. Meanwhile, US GDP was revised to an annual rate of 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023, from an initial estimate of 3.3% released last month.

From the UK side, there were no high-impact economic data releases, and therefore, the focus remained on the American macro news for any trading impetus on the GBP/USD pair.

The data from the US showed on Friday that the ISM Manufacturing PMI declined to 47.8 in February from 49.1 in January. This reading missed the market expectation of 49.5 and made it difficult for the USD to gather strength ahead of the weekend, allowing GBP/USD to stabilize above 1.2600.

Week ahead: US Nonfarm Payrolls and Powell in focus

GBP/USD traders gear up for another data-heavy economic calendar from the United States, with the central focus on the employment data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony.

Monday is data-empty on both sides of the Atlantic, with the US ISM Services PMI and Factory Orders data likely to feature on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the US ADP Employment Change data and JOLTS Job Openings report will be eyed by investors, alongside the first day of Powell’s testimony on the semi-annual Fed’s Monetary Policy Report (MPR) before the House Financial Services Committee, in Washington DC. Also, of note will be the UK’s Spring Budget announcement by Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt.

The European Central Bank (ECB) will announce its policy decision on Thursday. The ECB event could have a EUR/GBP-driven “rub-off” effect on the Pound Sterling. However, the US Jobless Claims and day 2 of Powell’s testimony will also impact the pair’s near-term trading direction.

Friday will feature the all-important US Nonfarm Payrolls and wage inflation data, which will be key to repricing the markets’ expectations of the timing of the Fed rate cut. Besides, speeches from the Fed policymakers will continue to play their part in the GBP/USD price dynamics before the blackout period ahead of the next FOMC meeting begins on March 9.

GBP/USD: Technical Outlook

GBP/USD appears to be a “buy-the-dips” trade in the near term, as observed on the daily chart.

The pair is clinging to the 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.2622 after having faced rejection at 1.2700 on multiple occasions.

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is sitting just beneath the 50 level, suggesting that GBP/USD could see some weakness ahead before buyers jump in.

If the selling momentum gains traction, the pair could extend the weekly drop to test the 200-day SMA at 1.2576.

GBP/USD buyers are expected to emerge at that level, reviving the buying interest in the Pound Sterling. However, if the 200-day SMA fails to hold, the pair could fall further toward the 100-day SMA at 1.2553.

Further south, the 1.2450 psychological level could act as a tough nut to crack for sellers.

On the flip side, defending the 21-day SMA is critical for GBP/USD to stage a rebound toward the 50-day SMA at 1.2674.

The next upside target for buyers is seen at the 1.2750 psychological barrier, above which the static resistance near 1.2775 will be tested.

The December 28 high of 1.2828 will be the next level on the buyers’ radars.