GBP/USD testing daily resistance ahead of UK data
|Sterling ended the week a touch lower versus the US dollar, down -0.2% and snapping a two-week bullish phase. As we enter the second full week of May, the GBP/USD currency pair will be monitored closely ahead of Tuesday’s employment and wage data out of the UK, with technical studies indicating a bearish move could be on the table.
Long-term picture
Price action on the monthly chart continues to hold under resistance at $1.2715, which has been the case since late 2023. This is currently reinforced by the daily chart wrapping up the week testing channel resistance, drawn from the high of $1.2894, a descending line complemented by a horizontal resistance level at $1.2527.
While one may argue that the monthly chart is in the early stages of an uptrend, the high at $1.3142, located near the next layer of resistance at $1.3111, would likely need to be breached before a long-term uptrend can be confirmed with any conviction.
As things stand, the monthly support level at $1.2173 is viewed as the next logical longer-term downside target for GBP bears and the trend currently supports sellers (this would be strengthened were a break of $1.2173 to be seen). This aligns with the daily chart’s downtrend, printing clear lower lows and lower highs since pencilling in a top at $1.2894. Further supporting bears, both monthly and daily charts reveal that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is testing the underside of the 50.00 centreline, indicating possible resistance.
Short-term picture
From the H1 timeframe, price action concluded the week at the underside of resistance from $1.2530, set just ahead of the $1.25 handle. Space north of current resistance draws attention to prime resistance coming in from $1.2583-$1.2560. Knowing that the longer-term trend is facing southbound and daily price is testing resistance from $1.2527, H1 resistance from $1.2530 or the prime resistance at $1.2583-$1.2560 could be areas that sellers welcome this week, taking aim at $1.25, followed by H1 support from $1.2459 and perhaps $1.24.
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