|

Will the Sterling lose some shine this week?

It is a monster week ahead for the GBP. Several key economic indicators are due, while Brexit-induced complications affect the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and its neighbours.

The list of economic reports coming from GB is extensive this week. What we are most looking out for are incongruities in the forecast and actual values of:

  • The Unemployment Rate for February and the Claimant Count Change for March. Both reports are due early Tuesday morning
  • The Inflation Rate for March is expected early Wednesday morning
  • The CBI's quarterly report on manufacturing optimism in the UK is due late Thursday morning
  • Gfk’s Consumer Confidence report follows the next day, due midnight Thursday.
  • Retail Sales figures for March arrive early Friday morning to close out the busy week.

On the same day that the inflation data is due, the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, speaks regarding the institution’s outlook.

Keeping track of all these indicators will be a nuisance. Further, the forecasted values are not all that promising for GBP bulls.

I am expecting a selloff on GBP this week, so traders can avoid having to fold these variables into their analyses. The GBP significantly strengthened against both the USD and EUR in the lead up to Friday’s closing, although momentum was slowing.  A reversal of this fortune might be inevitable as traders take their profits before any uncertainty enters the market.

Zooming out for a longer-term view. The GBP has been on a tear against the EUR all year. Little patches of resistance did periodically break up the monotony of the EUR bears taking the pair as low as 0.8500. EUR bulls did not provide much pushback until April, taking the pair past the 0.8600 level.

With some lacklustre reports due from the UK over the week, perhaps EUR bulls will have a little more confidence and regain their up-swing momentum from the beginning of April.

Author

Mark O’Donnell

Mark O’Donnell

Blackbull Markets Limited

Mark O’Donnell is a Research Analyst with BlackBull Markets in Auckland, New Zealand.

More from Mark O’Donnell
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 moves sideways below 1.1800 on Christmas Eve

EUR/USD struggles to find direction and trades in a narrow channel below 1.1800 after posting gains for two consecutive days. Bond and stock markets in the US will open at the usual time and close early on Christmas Eve, allowing the trading action to remain subdued. 

GBP/USD keeps range around 1.3500 amid quiet markets

GBP/USD keeps its range trade intact at around 1.3500 on Wednesday. The Pound Sterling holds the upper hand over the US Dollar amid pre-Christmas light trading as traders move to the sidelines heading into the holiday season. 

Gold retreats from record highs, trades below $4,500

Gold retreats after setting a new record-high above $4,520 earlier in the day and trades in a tight range below $4,500 as trading volumes thin out ahead of the Christmas break. The US Dollar selling bias remains unabated on the back of dovish Fed expectations, which continues to act as a tailwind for the bullion amid persistent geopolitical risks.

Bitcoin slips below $87,000 as ETF outflows intensify, whale participation declines

Bitcoin price continues to trade around $86,770 on Wednesday, after failing to break above the $90,000 resistance. US-listed spot ETFs record an outflow of $188.64 million on Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of withdrawals.

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.

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.