|

GBP/USD Forecast: Negative rates and Brexit talks undermine Pound

GBP/USD Current price: 1.2173

  • UK Retail Sales plunged in April amid the coronavirus-related lockdown.
  • The BOE considering negative rates and no progress in Brexit talks hurt Sterling.
  • GBP/USD at risk of falling further, heading towards 1.2000.

The GBP/USD pair has fallen for a third consecutive day on Friday, settling at around 1.2170. Demand for Sterling was undermined by UK Retail Sales, which fell in April by 18.1% MoM, much worse than the -16.0% expected. When compared to a year earlier, sales were down by 22.6%, also much worse than anticipated. The UK currency was also weighed by the BOE talking about negative rates, and Brexit-related concerns, as, despite no progress in talks with the EU, the kingdom refuses to extend the transition period beyond December this year. The UK won’t release relevant macroeconomic data this Monday as the UK celebrates the Spring Bank Holiday.

GBP/USD short-term technical outlook

The GBP/USD pair is poised to extend its decline, according to technical readings in the daily chart, as the pair is developing below all of its moving averages, with the 20 SMA turning lower and providing dynamic resistance at around 1.2330. Technical indicators in the mentioned time-frame remain within negative levels, the RSI supporting further declines by heading firmly lower at around 40. In the shorter-term, and according to the 4-hour chart, the technical picture is quite alike, as the pair is developing below bearish 20 SMA, as technical indicators remain well into negative ground, with uneven bearish strength yet no signs of downward exhaustion.

Support levels:  1.2130 1.2085 1.2040

Resistance levels: 1.2205 1.2250 1.2290

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:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD holds above 1.1750 due to cautious trade before FOMC Minutes

EUR/USD holds ground after four days of little losses, trading around 1.1770 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair remains steady as US Dollar moves little amid market caution ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee December Meeting Minutes due later in the day, which could offer insights into the Federal Reserve’s 2026 outlook.

GBP/USD finds key support near 1.35 despite year-end grind

GBP/USD remains bolstered on the high end as markets grind through the last trading week of the year. Cable caught a bullish tilt to keep price action on the high side of the 1.3500 handle, though year-end holiday volumes are unlikely to see significant progress in either direction as 2025 draws to a close.

Gold gains on Fed rate cut bets, safe-haven demand

Gold price edges higher above $4,350 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The precious metal recovers some lost ground after falling 4.5% in the previous session, which was gold's largest single-day loss since October. Increased margin requirements on gold and silver futures by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group, one of the world’s largest trading floors for commodities, prompted widespread profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing.

Solana risks correction within descending wedge as bearish bets rise

Solana hovers above $120 at press time on Tuesday after a nearly 2% decline on Monday. The SOL-focused Exchange Traded Funds see renewed interest after recording their lowest weekly inflow last week.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).