GBP/USD Forecast: Pound pressured by three factors, and more could come

GBP/USD is consolidating its losses on the lower ground amid Brexit concerns.
UK data remains robust, but Brexit continues dominating the scene.
The pair continues trading below the potent downtrend resistance line.

Yohay Elam FXStreet

GBP/USD is trading in the lower half of the 1.3000s, pressured to the downside. There are three reasons for the slide to the lower part of the range.

The immediate trigger comes from the fresh inflation report for March. Headline, Consumer Price Index, disappointed with 1.9% against expectations for a rise to 2.0%. Core CPI also stalled at 1.8% YoY, below projections for an acceleration to 1.9%. Yesterday's OK jobs report is now forgotten.

The second reason is stalled Brexit talks between the government and the opposition. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn said there is no agreement on the customs union and blamed the government for not changing its red lines. While Brexit was postponed to October 31st, the issue remains left, right and center.

The third reason is technical. The downtrend resistance line proved its strength over and over again in the past week, and it does not let go. Besides, the most recent fall also sent GBP/USD below the 50 Simple Moving Average on the four-hour chart, strengthening the bears.

GBP USD technical analysis April 17 2019

Support is found at the recent low of 1.3030. April's low of 1.2985 is next, and 1.2960 which was the low point in March, follows. 1.2895 and 1.2830 are next in line.

Resistance awaits at 1.3120 that held Sterling down for quite a few sessions of late. The next cap is at the round number of 1.3200 which was the peak in April. 1.3270 is next.

Looking forward, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney speaks later on and will have the opportunity to respond to the latest figures. Also, the US releases its trade balance data, and FOMC member James Bullard speaks.

All in all, the bears seem to be in full control.

Author

Yohay Elam

FXStreet

Yohay is in Forex since 2008 when he founded Forex Crunch, a blog crafted in his free time that turned into a fully-fledged currency website later sold to Finixio.

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