|

GBP/USD analysis: senseless Brexit rhetoric continues

GBP/USD Current price: 1.3191

  • Comments from EU and UK authorities keep Pound's buyers on their toes.
  • Solid UK wage growth helped GBP/USD to reach 1.3235 daily high.

Hopes for a Brexit deal kept the Pound on the winning side since the beginning of the European session, resulting in the GBP/USD pair hitting a daily high of 1.3235. The market reacted to comments from Germany's Europe Minister Roth, who said that they are close to a Brexit deal, but adding that they shouldn't rule out the chance of a no-deal. Irish PM Varadkar also made it to the wires, saying that there will be no withdrawal agreement without a legally binding backstop, while EU's Chief Negotiator Barnier later said that the Irish border issue remains unsolved and that they may need more time to reach an agreement. The Pound held on to gains despite EU's Tusk later said that a no-deal is more likely than ever before. UK employment data was mixed, although solid wage growth overshadowed an unexpected increase in unemployed people. The ILO unemployment rate for the 3 months to August remained at 4.0% as expected, while the average earnings excluding bonus for the same period rose by 3.1%, the fastest rate since 2009. The UK will release September inflation data this Wednesday, with annual CPI seen at 2.8% in September, up from 2.7% in August, and the core reading down to 1.8% vs. the previous 2.1%.

The pair has broken above 1.3170, a long-term Fibonacci level, now the immediate support, but stalled its advance below Friday's high at 1.3257, which somehow limits the upside potential for the pair. Uncertainty surrounding a Brexit deal maintains bulls on-hold, although it's clear that the market believes a deal will be achieved. In the 4 hours chart, the pair is trading above its 20 SMA, which stands a couple of pips above the mentioned Fibonacci level, reinforcing the relevance of the static support. The Momentum indicator in the mentioned chart heads higher around its mid-line, while the RSI indicator eases from its highs and stands at 53, limiting the upward potential for the pair. A break through the mentioned 1.3257 level could result in a steeper advance, although it's all about Brexit and how the market perceives chances of a deal.

Support levels: 1.3170 1.3130 1.3095

Resistance levels: 1.3210 1.3260 1.3300

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

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans. 

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.