GBP/JPY continues downside rebalance after rate differential changes course

GBP/JPY eased to 190.30 on Thursday following an expected BoE rate cut.
The BoE trimmed interest rates by a quarter-point, while BoJ raised.
After a structural shift in the Guppy’s rate differential, the GBP is declining.

Joshua Gibson FXStreet

The Guppy declined to 190.30 on Thursday after a downward shift in the Bank of England’s (BoE) main reference rates helped to trim the top off of the GBP/JPY’s wide interest rate differential, giving the Yen a chance to recover ground and pushing down the Pound Sterling.

The BoE trimmed its interest rate by 25 basis points to a flat 5.0% early Thursday, deflating the GBP and sending GBP/JPY into a 16-week low near 190.25. This follows the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) own rate hike earlier in the week, dragging Japanese interest rates back into positive territory above 0.1% for the first time since 2010.

Guppy is undergoing a hard rebalance following a trimming of the rate differential between the GBP and the Yen, and the upcoming trading week provides a reprieve from key economic data for both currencies. The data docket for both the UK and Japan is strictly mid-tier next week, and UK labor figures are not due until mid-August.

GBP/JPY technical outlook

The Guppy is on pace to chalk in a fourth straight down week as bearish momentum accelerates into the low end, dragging the pair further back from 16-year highs just above 208.00. The pair is easing back towards 190.00, but despite a -8.62% decline from multi-year peaks, a long-run bull market leaves price action buried deep in bull country with bids still swimming over 11% above the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 171.07.

GBP/JPY daily chart

Pound Sterling FAQs

What is the Pound Sterling?

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).

How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling?

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.

How does economic data influence the value of the Pound?

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.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound?

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.

Author

Joshua Gibson

FXStreet

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

EUR/USD looks offered below 1.1900

EUR/USD keeps its bearish tone unchanged ahead of the opening bell in Asia, returning to the sub-1.1900 region following a firmer tone in the US Dollar. Indeed, the pair reverses two consecutive daily gains amid steady caution ahead of Wednesday’s key US Nonfarm Payrolls release.

GBP/USD slips back to daily lows near 1.3640

GBP/USD drops to daily lows near 1.3640 as sellers push harder and the Greenback extends its rebound in the latter part of Tuesday’s session. Looking ahead, the combination of key US releases, including NFP and CPI, alongside important UK data, should keep the pound firmly in focus over the coming days.

Gold the battle of wills continues with bulls not ready to give up

Gold remains on the defensive and approaches the key $5,000 region per troy ounce on Tuesday, giving back part of its recent two day. The precious metal’s pullback unfolds against a firmer tone in the US Dollar, declining US Treasury yields and steady caution ahead of upcoming key US data releases.

Bitcoin's downtrend caused by ETF redemptions and AI rotation: Wintermute

Bitcoin's (BTC) fall from grace since the October 10 leverage flush has been spearheaded by sustained ETF outflows and a rotation into the AI narrative, according to Wintermute.

Dollar drops and stocks rally: The week of reckoning for US economic data

Following a sizeable move lower in US technology Stocks last week, we have witnessed a meaningful recovery unfold. The USD Index is in a concerning position; the monthly price continues to hold the south channel support.

XRP holds $1.40 amid ETF inflows and stable derivatives market

Ripple trades under pressure, with immediate support at $1.40 holding at the time of writing on Tuesday. A recovery attempt from last week’s sell-off to $1.12 stalled at $1.54 on Friday, leading to limited price action between the current support and the resistance.