EUR/GBP rises amid disappointing UK inflation data

EUR/GBP rose to 0.8580, overcoming a key resistance level.
Softer UK inflation data suppressed Pound Sterling during Wednesday's session.
Markets are strongly considering a cut in September by the BoE.

Patricio Martín FXStreet

Wednesday saw the EUR/GBP pair rise towards 0.8580, with softer-than-expected inflation data from the UK weighing on Pound Sterling. This contrasts Tuesday's movements, when the strength of the Pound was elevated by more positive UK employment data as lower inflation figures might prompt a more dovish Bank of England (BoE).

The UK's Office for National Statistics reported that inflation in the UK, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to a yearly 2.2% in July from 2% in June, below the market expectation of 2.3%. Similarly, the core CPI growth decreased to 3.3% down from 3.5% recorded in June. The initial market reaction to these figures resulted in diminished interest in Pound Sterling.

The next policy meeting from the BoE is on September 19, and the market currently estimates nearly a 45% chance of a rate cut.

EUR/GBP technical analysis

The EUR/GBP has shown a general bullish trend in recent sessions. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of the EUR/GBP pair fluctuates around mid-range values, indicating the bulls are gathering strength and have more way to go. The highest RSI was around 62, hinting toward a slight overbuying presence. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows steady green bars, confirming the presence of the buyers.

EUR/GBP daily chart

Author

Patricio Martín

FXStreet

Patricio is an economist from Argentina passionate about global finance and understanding the daily movements of the markets.

EUR/USD deflates to fresh lows, targets 1.1600

The selling pressure on EUR/USD now gathers extra pace, prompting the pair to hit fresh multi-week lows in the 1.1625-1.1620 band on Friday. The continuation of the downward bias comes in response to further gains in the US Dollar as market participants continue to assess the mixed release of US Nonfarm Payrolls in December.

GBP/USD breaks below 1.3400, challenges the 200-day SMA

GBP/USD remains under heavy fire and retreats for the fourth consecutive day on Friday. Indeed, Cable suffers the strong performance of the Greenback, intensified post-mixed NFP, and trades at shouting distance from its critical 200-day SMA near 1.3380.

Gold flirts with yearly tops around $4,500

Gold keeps its positive bias on Friday, adding to Thursday’s advance and challenging yearly highs in the $4,500 region per troy ounce. The risk-off sentiment favours the yellow metal despite the firmer tone in the Greenback and rising US Treasury yields.