- GBP/USD holds above 1.3300 to start the week.
- The technical outlook highlights sellers' hesitancy in the near term.
- Markets will continue to pay close attention to headlines surrounding the US-China relations.
GBP/USD closed marginally lower on Friday but ended up posting small weekly gains. The pair holds its ground in the European session on Monday and trades above 1.3300.
British Pound PRICE Today
The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.14% | -0.21% | -0.09% | 0.06% | 0.17% | 0.23% | 0.09% | |
| EUR | -0.14% | -0.41% | -0.23% | -0.09% | -0.06% | 0.08% | -0.07% | |
| GBP | 0.21% | 0.41% | 0.17% | 0.33% | 0.33% | 0.49% | 0.35% | |
| JPY | 0.09% | 0.23% | -0.17% | 0.17% | 0.28% | -1.10% | 0.44% | |
| CAD | -0.06% | 0.09% | -0.33% | -0.17% | -0.01% | 0.16% | 0.04% | |
| AUD | -0.17% | 0.06% | -0.33% | -0.28% | 0.01% | 0.15% | 0.00% | |
| NZD | -0.23% | -0.08% | -0.49% | 1.10% | -0.16% | -0.15% | -0.14% | |
| CHF | -0.09% | 0.07% | -0.35% | -0.44% | -0.04% | -0.01% | 0.14% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).
Markets adopt a cautious stance to start the week amid mixed headlines surrounding the US-China trade conflict. As a result, the US Dollar (USD) struggles to outperform its rivals and allows GBP/USD to keep its footing.
US Treasury Scott Bessent told ABC News over the weekend that there was a path to an agreement with China. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump hinted that negotiations with China were under way when he was responding to questions during an interview with the Times Magazine on Friday.
However, China's Foreign Ministry disputed Trump's comments and said that the US should stop creating confusion. Early Monday, a spokesperson for the ministry reiterated that they have not engaged in any trade talks with the US.
Later in the week, first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data and April employment report will be key data releases from the US. Until then, news on the US-China trade war could continue to drive GBP/USD action. In case geopolitical tensions remain high, the USD could stay on the back foot and open the door for a leg higher in the pair.
GBP/USD Technical Analysis
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart stays above 50 and GBP/USD continues to trade above the 20-period and the 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA), reflecting sellers' hesitancy.
On the upside, 1.3340 (static level) aligns as immediate resistance before and 1.3400-1.3410 (round level, static level). In case GBP/USD drops below 1.3300 (20-period SMA, 50-period SMA) and confirms this level as resistance, 1.3250 (Fibonacci 23.6% retracement level of the latest uptrend) and 1.3200 (static level) could be seen as the next support level.
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds gains below 1.1350 amid US Dollar weakness
EUR/USD is consolidating gains below 1.1350 in Wednesday's European trading on the back of a sustained weakness n the US Dollar. Renewed trade jitters, along with fresh concerns about the US fiscal health, add further pressure on the Greenback. The focus now is on the ECB and Fed-speak.
GBP/USD defends gains below 1.3450 after strong UK inflation data
GBP/USD is off the highs but defends gains below 1.3450 in the European session on Wednesday. The data from the UK showed that the annual CPI inflation jumped to 3.5% in April from 2.6% in March, temporarily lifting the Pound Sterling. But a softer risk tone caps the pair's upside.
Gold edges higher reclaiming $3,300 on rising geopolitical tensions and US fiscal woes
Gold breaks higher on Wednesday towards $3,308 at the time of writing, fueled by concerns that tensions in the Middle East might spiral out of control again and US fiscal woes. In late trading on Tuesday, CNN reported that Israel is considering targeting nuclear sites in Iran.
Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Price Forecast: DOGE and SHIB show early signs of a bullish breakout
Dogecoin and Shiba Inu show early signs of a potential rally as both meme coins stabilize at key support levels. On-chain metrics for dog-themed meme coins show positive funding rates and dormant activity, reinforcing bullish sentiment. The technical outlook also supports the case for double-digit gains.
FOMO vs fundamentals: Retail buys the dip, institutional investors stay cautious
Retail optimism is rising, but institutions are still treading carefully amid lingering macro and earnings risks. Policy and fiscal uncertainty remain elevated, with trade tensions, U.S. debt concerns, and a cautious Fed dominating the backdrop.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.