- GBP/USD at 1.2910, stable despite US political developments, after touching high of 1.2942.
- Technicals: GBP/USD finds support at 1.2894, consolidating from highs.
- Bullish momentum holds; RSI positive with resistance at 1.2950, 1.3044 and supports at 1.2860, 1.2803.
The Pound Sterling begins the week virtually flat against the Greenback on Monday, trading at around 1.2910 after hitting a daily high of 1.2942.
Over the weekend, political developments in the US saw President Joe Biden drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice-President Kamala Harris. The effects are pending to be felt by the Forex markets, though Wall Street recovers ground.
GBP/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook
From a technical standpoint, the GBP/USD consolidates after rallying from 1.2600 to 1.3000 during the last three weeks. Nevertheless, the pair pulled back from recent highs and faced solid support at 1.2894, and the March 8 peak turned support.
Momentum suggests buyers had stepped in, capping the GBP/USD drop. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stays in bullish territory, though market participants remain undecisive about lifting the Pound or letting it slide for a deeper correction.
For a bullish continuation, buyers must reclaim the 1.2950 psychological figure before testing the July 17 high at 1.3044. Once cleared, the next supply zone to encounter would be last year’s high at 1.3142.
Conversely, if GBP/USD tumbles under 1.2900, the first support would be the June 12 high turned support at 1.2860. Once surpassed, further downside lies ahead, like the March 21 high at 1.2803, before aiming toward the 50-day moving average (DMA) at 1.2757.
GBP/USD Price Action – Daily Chart
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, 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).
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.
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 stays in daily range slightly below 1.0900
EUR/USD continues to move up and down in a narrow band slightly below 1.0900 in the second half of the day on Monday. The modest improvement seen in risk mood makes it difficult for the US Dollar to find demand and helps the pair stay in range.
GBP/USD treads water above 1.2900 amid risk recovery
GBP/USD is keeping its range play intact above 1.2900 in the American session on Monday. The positive shift seen in risk sentiment doesn't allow the US Dollar to gather strength and helps the pair hold its ground ahead of this week's key data releases.
Gold extends slide below $2,400
Gold stays under persistent bearish pressure after breaking below the key $2,400 level and trades at its lowest level in over a week below $2,390. In the absence of fundamental drivers, technical developments seem to be causing XAU/USD to stretch lower.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin is less than 10% away from all-time high as Ethereum ETF approval anticipation brews
Bitcoin trades around $68,000 early on Monday, less than 10% away from its all-time high of $73,777 on Binance. Ethereum ETF anticipation brews among traders and Ether investment products see inflow of over $45 million in the past week.
Election volatility and tech earnings take centre stage
/stock-market-graph-gm532464153-55981218_XtraSmall.jpg)
The US Dollar managed to end the week higher as Trump Trades ensued. Safe-havens CHF and JPY were also higher while activity currencies such as NOK and NZD underperformed.