GBP/USD Forecast: Scottish independence referendum plan weighing ahead of US macro data and Trump's address


The greenback traded mixed against its major counterparts as market participants now look forwards to the US President Donald Trump's first address to Congress on Tuesday. Of late, lack of details over the new administration’s expansive fiscal policies has been weighing on the US Dollar and hence, repositioning trade would be a key theme in the FX markets at the start of a new trading week.

In the meantime, the US macro releases – monthly durable goods orders, pending home sales, alongside Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan's speech would be looked upon for some short-term trading opportunities ahead of Trump's address this week.

GBP/USD

Meanwhile, the British Pound witnessed a notable weakness during early Asian session on Monday in wake of news that UK Prime Minister Theresa May's proposal for another Scottish independence referendum. The GBP/USD pair dipped below 1.2400 handle but managed to bounce off recent trading range support and is currently trading around 1.2425-30 band.

The pair has repeatedly failed to build on to its move above the 1.2500 psychological mark, albeit the downslide has been limited at 1.2390-80 horizontal support. Hence, it would be prudent to wait for a decisive break through this recent trading range before confirming the pair’s next leg of directional move. Also on daily chart, technical indicators have turned neutral and are further reinforcing near-term range-bound price action within a broader trading range.

In terms of technical levels, decisive weakness below 1.2390-80 immediate support is likely to accelerate the slide towards 1.2350-45 region before the pair eventually drops below 1.2300 handle and head towards testing 1.2260-55 horizontal support.

On the flip side, recovery back above 1.2470 level would reaffirm near-term trading range and lift the pair back above 1.2500 handle towards the range resistance near 1.2555-60 area. A convincing move above this important hurdle should pave way for continuation of the pair’s near-term recovery move initially towards 1.2600 handle and eventually towards 1.2650-55 resistance area.

GBPUSD

EUR/USD

The pair on Friday failed to sustain its move back above 1.0600 handle and reversed all of its gains recorded in the previous session, pointing towards investors’ reluctance to hold / initiate fresh long-Euro positions. The pair did attempt a move to break through a short-term ascending trend-resistance but failed to surpass an immediate resistance near 1.0620 level, marking 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of 1.0829-1.0494 downslide.

On Monday, however, the pair has managed to bounce of mid-1.0500s and is now attempting a move past 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level immediate resistance near 1.0575 region. Momentum above the said resistance could get extended towards 1.0600 strong barrier above which a fresh leg of up-move should now lift the pair beyond 1.0620 resistance towards 50% Fibonacci retracement level resistance near 1.0660 level, en-route 1.0700 handle marking 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level.

Alternatively, weakness below session lows support near 1.0550 level, leading to a subsequent break below 1.0530 horizontal support, might now turn the pair vulnerable to break back below 1.0500 psychological mark and head towards retesting 1.0400 handle with some intermediate support near 1.0455-50 region.

EURUSD

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


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD edges lower toward 1.0700 post-US PCE

EUR/USD edges lower toward 1.0700 post-US PCE

EUR/USD stays under modest bearish pressure but manages to hold above 1.0700 in the American session on Friday. The US Dollar (USD) gathers strength against its rivals after the stronger-than-forecast PCE inflation data, not allowing the pair to gain traction.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD retreats to 1.2500 on renewed USD strength

GBP/USD retreats to 1.2500 on renewed USD strength

GBP/USD lost its traction and turned negative on the day near 1.2500. Following the stronger-than-expected PCE inflation readings from the US, the USD stays resilient and makes it difficult for the pair to gather recovery momentum.

GBP/USD News

Gold struggles to hold above $2,350 following US inflation

Gold struggles to hold above $2,350 following US inflation

Gold turned south and declined toward $2,340, erasing a large portion of its daily gains, as the USD benefited from PCE inflation data. The benchmark 10-year US yield, however, stays in negative territory and helps XAU/USD limit its losses. 

Gold News

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000 Premium

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC’s next breakout could propel it to $80,000

Bitcoin’s recent price consolidation could be nearing its end as technical indicators and on-chain metrics suggest a potential upward breakout. However, this move would not be straightforward and could punish impatient investors. 

Read more

Week ahead – Hawkish risk as Fed and NFP on tap, Eurozone data eyed too

Week ahead – Hawkish risk as Fed and NFP on tap, Eurozone data eyed too

Fed meets on Wednesday as US inflation stays elevated. Will Friday’s jobs report bring relief or more angst for the markets? Eurozone flash GDP and CPI numbers in focus for the Euro.

Read more

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures