GBP/USD seems vulnerable below 1.2100, multi-month low on sustained USD buying


  • GBP/USD remains on the defensive near a multi-month trough touched this Tuesday.
  • A combination of factors lifts the USD to a fresh YTD top and weighed on the major.
  • The BoE's surprise pause continues to weigh on the GBP and favours bearish traders.

The GBP/USD pair is seen oscillating in a narrow trading band below the 1.2100 mark and consolidating its recent losses to the lowest level since March 16 touched during the Asian session this Tuesday. Extremely oversold conditions on the daily chart hold back bearish traders from placing fresh bets, though the fundamental backdrop suggests that the path of least resistance for spot prices is to the downside.

The British Pound (GBP) continues with its relative underperformance in the wake of the Bank of England's (BoE) surprise move to pause its rat-hiking cycle in September. This was the first time since December 2021 that the BoE did not raise interest rates. Adding to this, the UK central bank also lowered its forecast for economic growth in the July-September period to just 0.1% from the previous projection of 0.4% and provided little hints of its intention to raise rates any further. This, along with the underlying strong bullish sentiment surrounding the US Dollar (USD), acts as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair.

The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, climbs to its highest level since November 2022 and remains well supported by growing acceptance that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will stick to its hawkish stance. In fact, the markets have been pricing in the possibility of at least one more rate hike by the year-end. Adding to this, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Meste said that the US central bank will need to keep rates restrictive to get inflation back to the 2% target. This, in turn, pushes the US Treasury bond yields to a fresh multi-decade high and continues to underpin the USD.

Apart from the Fed's higher-for-longer interest rate narrative, a generally weaker risk tone is seen as another factor benefitting the Greenback's relative safe-haven status and weighing on the GBP/USD pair. The initial market reaction to the mixed Chinese PMIs and the passage of a US stopgap funding bill over the weekend turned out to be short-lived amid worries about economic headwinds stemming from rapidly rising borrowing costs. This continues to drive investors towards traditional safe-haven assets and favours the USD bulls, which, in turn, validates the near-term negative outlook for the major.

Moving ahead, there isn't any relevant market-moving economic data due for release from the UK, leaving the GBP/USD pair at the mercy of the USD price dynamics. Later during the early North American session, traders will take cues from the US JOLTS Job Openings data. This, along with the US bond yields and the broader risk sentiment, will influence the USD price dynamics and provide some impetus. The focus, however, will remain on the US NFP report, due on Friday.

Technical levels to watch

GBP/USD

Overview
Today last price 1.2084
Today Daily Change -0.0003
Today Daily Change % -0.02
Today daily open 1.2087
 
Trends
Daily SMA20 1.2347
Daily SMA50 1.2574
Daily SMA100 1.2619
Daily SMA200 1.2436
 
Levels
Previous Daily High 1.222
Previous Daily Low 1.2086
Previous Weekly High 1.2272
Previous Weekly Low 1.2111
Previous Monthly High 1.2713
Previous Monthly Low 1.2111
Daily Fibonacci 38.2% 1.2137
Daily Fibonacci 61.8% 1.2169
Daily Pivot Point S1 1.2042
Daily Pivot Point S2 1.1998
Daily Pivot Point S3 1.1909
Daily Pivot Point R1 1.2176
Daily Pivot Point R2 1.2265
Daily Pivot Point R3 1.2309

 

 

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