|

GBP/USD analysis: agreement on softer Brexit pushed the Pound higher

GBP/USD Current price: 1.3286

  • UK Cabinet came to an agreement on a softer Brexit strategy on future trade relationship.
  • USD weakness added to GBP/USD short-term bullish case, 1.3310 region now key.

The GBP/USD pair closed the week with gains at 1.3286, just a handful of pips below the previous week's high, with the Pound finding demand on the back of better-than-expected UK data released through the week and a softer dollar, dumped on fears that the trade war will end up hurting US economic growth. Late Friday, news indicated that the UK Cabinet agreed with PM May's plan about the future trade relationship with the EU, an agreement that contemplates creating a free trade area for industrial and agricultural goods, "regulatory flexibility" for trade in services, and a "mobility framework" which will ensure citizens from both regions can continue to travel to each other's territories and apply for study and work. Boris Johnson strongly disagreed with the plan, saying that it would leave the UK as a "vassal state," among other strong comments. Indeed, the proposal from Mrs. May points for a softer-Brexit that needs yet the approval of the EU officers. The pair has been unable to clearly advance beyond 1.3300 for the last three weeks, and bulls could feel encouraged on a break above the level, although the pair should sustain gains beyond 1.3450 to actually enter bullish territory. Readings in the daily chart favor additional gains, as the pair ended well above a mild bearish 20 SMA, while technical indicators head north within positive territory, at their highest since last April. In the 4 hours chart, a bullish 20 SMA keeps leading the way higher, attracting buyers on intraday pullbacks, while technical indicators also maintain their bullish slopes, but below this month highs. The 200 EMA in this last time frame comes at 1.3310, while a relevant high is located at 1.3314, making of the 1.3310 an immediate and strong resistance.

Support levels: 1.3250 1.3210 1.3170

Resistance levels:  1.3315 1.3350 1.3390

View Live Chart for the GBP/USD

Author

Valeria Bednarik

Valeria Bednarik was born and lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her passion for math and numbers pushed her into studying economics in her younger years.

More from Valeria Bednarik
Share:

Editor's Picks

USD/JPY eyes August swing low, near 155.20 ahead of US NFP

USD/JPY retests the August monthly swing low during the Asian session on Friday as a more hawkish repricing of BoJ rate-hike bets and a suspected intervention continue to underpin the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, the US Dollar is seen consolidating the previous day's heavy losses amid soft US bond yields, further weighing on the currency pair as traders keenly await the US NFP report.

AUD/USD consolidates above 0.7200; US NFP awaited

AUD/USD holds steady above 0.7200, near its highest level since mid-May, as bulls await the US NFP report for more cues on the Fed's policy path before placing fresh bets. Meanwhile, the recent decline in US bond yields keeps the US Dollar depressed near its lowest level in over a week and acts as a tailwind for the Aussie amid the RBA's hawkish tilt.

Gold tumbles as blockbuster US NFP lift US Dollar, Treasury yields

Gold (XAU/USD) falls sharply on Friday, snapping a two-day recovery after the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report surprised strongly to the upside. The metal briefly climbed above $4,500 on Thursday, gaining nearly 2%, but has since erased a large part of that advance.

Crypto’s $638 million buyback boom may not be as bullish as it looks
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols reportedly spent $638 million to buy back their native tokens in August, up 17% from a year earlier. On the surface, the buyback trend suggests the cryptocurrency industry is maturing fast, adopting one of Wall Street’s oldest tools to bolster valuations and distribute revenue. The headline becomes less impressive once the number is opened up.
Why hawkish Bank of Japan expectations aren't enough to sustain the Japanese Yen rally

The Japanese Yen (JPY) experienced a sudden burst higher after falling back below the 160.00 psychological mark against the US Dollar (USD) earlier this week amid a more hawkish repricing of Bank of Japan (BoJ) rate hike expectations.

Diesel’s record $100 warning: The oil shock hiding in plain sight

The Oil market may look calmer than it did a few months ago, but diesel is sending a very different message. The US diesel crack spread, the premium of ultra-low sulphur diesel futures over WTI, recently surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching an intraday record of just over $102.00.