GBP/USD extends downside below 1.2700 ahead of BoE's Bailey speech


  • GBP/USD trades in negative territory for the fifth consecutive day near 1.2685 in Thursday’s Asian session. 
  • US inflation rose to 2.6% YoY in October, as expected. 
  • Investors await the BoE’s Governor Andrew Bailey speech on Thursday. 

The GBP/USD pair extends the decline to near 1.2685 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. A rally in the US Dollar (USD) to the highest level since November 2023 weighs on the major pair. The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey is set to speak later on Thursday. 

Data released by the US Department of Labor Statistics on Wednesday showed that the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in line with expectations, rising by 2.6% YoY in October. Meanwhile, the core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, climbed by 3.3% YoY in October, mating with the estimation. The markets expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep on track to reduce rates at their next meeting in December. 

“No surprises from the CPI, so for now the Fed should be on course to cut rates again in December. Next year is a different story, though, given the uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs and other Trump administration policies,” noted Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. 

Fed officials remain cautious on rate cuts. On Wednesday, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan said that the US central bank should proceed cautiously on further interest rate cuts to keep from inadvertently reigniting inflation. Additionally, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem stated that sticky inflation figures make it difficult for the US central bank to continue to ease rates. Traders raise their bet on another quarter-percentage-point rate cut in December, albeit at a slower pace, through mid-2025.

On the UK’s front, the BoE policymaker Catherine Mann said monetary policy is impacting inflation more quickly than economic theory suggests, allowing the central bank to wait before making big cuts to interest rates. Traders have fully priced in only two quarter-point rate cuts by the end of 2025, which would put the BoE lag behind other major central banks. 

Traders will take more cues from the BoE’s Bailey speech later on Thursday for fresh impetus. Less dovish comments from the BoE policymakers could underpin the Pound Sterling (GBP) against the USD.

(This story was corrected on November 14 at 06:35 GMT to say, in the last paragraph, less dovish comment from the BoE policymakers could underpin the Pound Sterling (GBP) against the USD, not the GBP.)

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, also known as ‘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.

 

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 challenges 1.0500 on Dollar's bounce

EUR/USD challenges 1.0500 on Dollar's bounce

The US Dollar now picks up further pace and weighs on the risk-associated assets, sending EUR/USD to the boundaries of the key 1.0500 region and at shouting distance from its 2024 lows.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD remains weak and puts 1.2600 to the test

GBP/USD remains weak and puts 1.2600 to the test

GBP/USD remains on the back foot and now approaches the key support at 1.2600 the figure in response to the resurgence of the bid bias in the Greenback.

GBP/USD News
Gold faces extra upside near term

Gold faces extra upside near term

Gold extends its bullish momentum further above $2,660 on Thursday. XAU/USD rises for the fourth straight day, sponsored by geopolitical risks stemming from the worsening Russia-Ukraine war. Markets await comments from Fed policymakers.

Gold News
BTC hits an all-time high above $97,850, inches away from the $100K mark

BTC hits an all-time high above $97,850, inches away from the $100K mark

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high of $97,852 on Thursday, and the technical outlook suggests a possible continuation of the rally to $100,000. BTC futures have surged past the $100,000 price mark on Deribit, and Lookonchain data shows whales are accumulating.

Read more
A new horizon: The economic outlook in a new leadership and policy era

A new horizon: The economic outlook in a new leadership and policy era

The economic aftershocks of the COVID pandemic, which have dominated the economic landscape over the past few years, are steadily dissipating. These pandemic-induced economic effects are set to be largely supplanted by economic policy changes that are on the horizon in the United States.

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