• Reviving USD demand prompts some fresh selling on Friday.
• Bulls seemed little impressed with the UK GDP growth figures.
• US macro data/Carney & Powell’s speech eyed for fresh impetus.
The GBP/USD pair maintained its offered tone and has now dropped to fresh session lows, around the 1.3330-40 region.
After yesterday's modest recovery attempt, supported by upbeat UK retail sales data, the pair came under some renewed selling pressure on Friday and resumed with well-established bearish trajectory.
The pair extended its overnight retracement slide from levels beyond the 1.3400 handle and was now weighed down by reviving US Dollar demand, despite a sudden fall in the US Treasury bond yields.
The GBP bulls also seemed little impressed by the second estimate of the UK GDP growth figures, which matched the preliminary reading and confirmed a tepid growth of 0.1% q/q during the first quarter of 2018.
With today's slide, the pair has now reversed all of its modest recovery gains recorded yesterday as traders now look forward to the release of US durable goods orders data for some fresh impetus.
This coupled with scheduled speeches by the BoE Governor Mark Carney and the Fed Chair Jerome Powell might also influence the price action and produce some meaningful trading opportunities on the last trading day of the week.
Technical levels to watch
Any subsequent recovery might continue to find some support near the 1.3300 handle, which if broken now seems to pave the way for an extension of the pair's depreciating move. On the flip side, the 1.3375-80 region, closely followed by the 1.3400 handle now seems to act as immediate resistance, above which the recovery move could get extended towards 1.3450-55 area.
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 treads water just above 1.0400 post-US data
Another sign of the good health of the US economy came in response to firm flash US Manufacturing and Services PMIs, which in turn reinforced further the already strong performance of the US Dollar, relegating EUR/USD to the 1.0400 neighbourhood on Friday.
GBP/USD remains depressed near 1.2520 on stronger Dollar
Poor results from the UK docket kept the British pound on the back foot on Thursday, hovering around the low-1.2500s in a context of generalized weakness in the risk-linked galaxy vs. another outstanding day in the Greenback.
Gold keeps the bid bias unchanged near $2,700
Persistent safe haven demand continues to prop up the march north in Gold prices so far on Friday, hitting new two-week tops past the key $2,700 mark per troy ounce despite extra strength in the Greenback and mixed US yields.
Geopolitics back on the radar
Rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine caused renewed unease in the markets this week. Putin signed an amendment to Russian nuclear doctrine, which allows Russia to use nuclear weapons for retaliating against strikes carried out with conventional weapons.
Eurozone PMI sounds the alarm about growth once more
The composite PMI dropped from 50 to 48.1, once more stressing growth concerns for the eurozone. Hard data has actually come in better than expected recently – so ahead of the December meeting, the ECB has to figure out whether this is the PMI crying wolf or whether it should take this signal seriously. We think it’s the latter.
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.