GBP/USD Forecast: Next bullish target aligns at 1.3680
|- GBP/USD has climbed to its highest level since early November.
- Dollar steadies after losing strength on Tuesday, investors await CPI data.
- GBP/USD could target 1.3680 in case greenback continues to weaken.
GBP/USD has capitalized on the selling pressure surrounding the dollar and reached its strongest level since early November at 1.3645. Since then it has gone into a consolidation phase early Wednesday. The pair could target 1.3680 as long as support at 1.3600 holds.
FOMC Chairman Jerome Powell adopted a cautious tone regarding the timing of the balance sheet reduction on Tuesday and caused the greenback to lose interest.
While testifying before the Senate, Powell acknowledged that they are likely to act sooner to start running off the balance sheet than they did in the previous tightening cycles but noted that they are still debating the process. The chairman, however, noted that they might need as many as four policy meetings before coming up with a final plan and forced the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield to continue to retreat from the two-year high it set above 1.8% earlier this week.
Later in the session, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish December Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. On a yearly basis, the CPI is forecast to rise to 7% from 6.8% in November. A print above the market expectation could help the dollar find demand and force GBP/USD to stage a deeper correction. On the flip side, a soft CPI reading is likely to put USD under renewed bearish pressure and open the door for additional gains in the pair.
Powell reiterated on Tuesday that inflation will remain at the top of their agenda, confirming the view that the Fed will prioritize easing price pressures over employment, at least in the near term.
US Inflation Preview: Dizzying heights of 7% would cement a March hike, supercharge the dollar.
GBP/USD Technical Analysis
Even if GBP/USD loses traction after the CPI data, the near-term outlook will remain bullish as long as buyers defend 1.3600, where the 20-period SMA on the four-hour chart and the lower limit of the ascending regression channel is located.
On the upside, interim resistance seems to have formed at 1.3645. In case a four-hour candle closes above that level, additional gains toward 1.3680 (static level, upper limit of the ascending channel) and 1.3700 (psychological level) could be witnessed.
Below 1.3600, 1.3560 (static level, 50-period SMA) aligns as the next significant support.
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.