GBP/USD advances to fresh multi-month peak, eyes mid-1.2700s amid bearish USD


  • GBP/USD gains positive traction for the fifth successive day and climbs to a fresh three-month top.
  • Bets that the Fed is done raising rates and may start easing the policy in 2024 undermine the USD.
  • Diminishing odds for an early BoE rate cut remain supportive of the strong follow-through move-up.

The GBP/USD pair scales higher for the fifth straight day – also marking the eighth day of a positive move in the previous nine – and advances to a fresh three-month peak during the Asian session on Wednesday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.2715-1.2720 region, up 0.20% for the day, and seem poised to prolong a near three-week-old uptrend in the wake of sustained US Dollar (USD) selling.

The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, sinks to its lowest level since August 11 amid rising bets for a series of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2024. The expectations were reaffirmed by the overnight dovish remarks by Fed Governor Christopher Waller, saying that policy is currently well positioned to slow the economy and get inflation back to the 2% target. Waller added that there are good economic arguments that if inflation continues to decline for several more months, it is possible to lower the policy rate.

Moreover, the CME group's FedWatch tool indicates a 33% chance and a roughly 65% probability of a rate cut in March and May, respectively. This, in turn, drags the yield on the benchmark 10-year US government bond to 4.274%, or its lowest level since mid-September and continues to undermine the buck. Apart from this, a generally positive tone around the US equity futures turns out to be another factor weighing on the safe-haven Greenback and acting as a tailwind for the GBP/USD pair amid diminishing odds for an early rate cut by the Bank of England (BoE).

BoE Governor Andrew Bailey warned last week that it was too early to declare victory over inflation and predicted that monetary policy will have to stay restrictive for quite some time to make sure that inflation gets back to the 2% target. Echoing the view, BoE Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking, Dave Ramsden said on Tuesday that monetary policy is likely to need to be restrictive for an extended period of time to get inflation back to the 2% target. This, in turn, is seen acting as a tailwind for the British Pound (GBP) and contributing to the GBP/USD pair move up.

There isn't any relevant market-moving macro data due for release from the UK on Wednesday, while the US economic docket features the prelim or the second estimate of the third quarter GDP growth figures. This, along with the US bond yields, will influence the USD price dynamics and provide some impetus to the GBP/USD pair. Traders will further take cues from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey's remarks later during the US session to grab short-term opportunities. The fundamental backdrop, meanwhile, remains tilted in favour of bulls and supports prospects for additional gains.

Technical levels to watch

GBP/USD

Overview
Today last price 1.272
Today Daily Change 0.0025
Today Daily Change % 0.20
Today daily open 1.2695
 
Trends
Daily SMA20 1.2408
Daily SMA50 1.2276
Daily SMA100 1.2494
Daily SMA200 1.2461
 
Levels
Previous Daily High 1.2715
Previous Daily Low 1.2607
Previous Weekly High 1.2616
Previous Weekly Low 1.2446
Previous Monthly High 1.2337
Previous Monthly Low 1.2037
Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.2674
Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2648
Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2629
Daily Pivot Point S2 1.2564
Daily Pivot Point S3 1.2521
Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2738
Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2781
Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2846

 

 

Share: Feed news

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 stays near 1.0400 in thin holiday trading

EUR/USD stays near 1.0400 in thin holiday trading

EUR/USD trades with mild losses near 1.0400 on Tuesday. The expectation that the US Federal Reserve will deliver fewer rate cuts in 2025 provides some support for the US Dollar. Trading volumes are likely to remain low heading into the Christmas break.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD struggles to find direction, holds steady near 1.2550

GBP/USD struggles to find direction, holds steady near 1.2550

GBP/USD consolidates in a range at around 1.2550 on Tuesday after closing in negative territory on Monday. The US Dollar preserves its strength and makes it difficult for the pair to gain traction as trading conditions thin out on Christmas Eve.

GBP/USD News
Gold holds above $2,600, bulls non-committed on hawkish Fed outlook

Gold holds above $2,600, bulls non-committed on hawkish Fed outlook

Gold trades in a narrow channel above $2,600 on Tuesday, albeit lacking strong follow-through buying. Geopolitical tensions and trade war fears lend support to the safe-haven XAU/USD, while the Fed’s hawkish shift acts as a tailwind for the USD and caps the precious metal.

Gold News
IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

IRS says crypto staking should be taxed in response to lawsuit

In a filing on Monday, the US International Revenue Service stated that the rewards gotten from staking cryptocurrencies should be taxed, responding to a lawsuit from couple Joshua and Jessica Jarrett.

Read more
2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?

2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?

As the door closes in 2024, and while the year feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye, a lot has happened. If I had to summarise it all in four words, it would be: ‘a year of surprises’.

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures