GBP/USD unlocks new high, but eyes remain on 1.3200

GBPUSD prints new high near 1.3300 after FOMC rate decision
Technical signals remain bullish but clear close above 1.3200 is needed
BoE expected to leave rates steady at 11:00 GMT

Christina Parthenidou XM

GBPUSD remains committed to closing above the 1.3200 level for one more day. The Fed delivered a surprise double rate cut of 50bps on Wednesday, lifting the pair to a new 2 ½-year high of 1.3296. Powell expressed confidence in avoiding a downturn but gave no clear indication of the pace of the easing cycle, causing the price to drop below 1.3200 again.

The BoE’s rate decision is the next highlight on the calendar, and the pair is currently flirting with the August bar of 1.3265. With the RSI consistently rising above 50 and the MACD about to cross its red signal line in the positive region, the risk is skewed to the upside. Yet, with the stochastic oscillator preparing for a downturn, room for improvement might be limited.

Above 1.3265, the price could get congested around the resistance line from May currently seen at 1.3350. The 1.3400 psychological mark could also challenge the bulls. If not, the pair could rocket up to 1.3600 last seen in February 2022.

On the downside, there are a couple of support levels to keep in mind. The 20-day SMA at 1.3155 and the trendline zone of 1.3090-1.3110 will be closely watched if the price pulls back below 1.3200. Even lower, the spotlight might shift to the 50-day SMA and the ascending line at 1.2980. Another violation there could take a rest near 1.2900.

Overall, for GBPUSD to sustain its pattern of higher highs and higher lows, it must stay buoyant above 1.3200.

Author

Christina Parthenidou

Christina joined the XM investment research department in May 2017. She holds a master degree in Economics and Business from the Erasmus University Rotterdam with a specialization in International economics.

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

Gold clings to gains just above $5,000/oz

Gold is reclaiming part of the ground lost on Wednesday’s marked decline, as bargain-hunters keep piling up and lifting prices past the key $5,000 per troy ounce. The precious metal’s move higher is also underpinned by the slight pullback in the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields across the curve.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP in choppy price action, weighed down by falling institutional interest

Bitcoin's upside remains largely constrained amid weak technicals and declining institutional interest. Ethereum trades sideways above $1,900 support with the upside capped below $2,000 amid ETF outflows.

Week ahead – Data blitz, Fed Minutes and RBNZ decision in the spotlight

US GDP and PCE inflation are main highlights, plus the Fed minutes. UK and Japan have busy calendars too with focus on CPI. Flash PMIs for February will also be doing the rounds. RBNZ meets, is unlikely to follow RBA’s hawkish path.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP potential bottom could be in sight

Ripple edges up above the intraday low of $1.35 at the time of writing on Friday amid mixed price actions across the crypto market. The remittance token failed to hold support at $1.40 the previous day, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid a decline in retail and institutional sentiment.