GBP/USD: Concerns about inflation and covid to send sterling back down

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

GBP/USD is trading above 1.38 as investors await Britain's reopening on Monday. Selling opportunity? Risk-off mood could send sterling back down, according to FXStreet’s Analyst Yohay Elam.

There is room for cable to climb back down

“The Delta variant's spread has resulted in over 48,000 confirmed cases in the UK on Thursday, days before the grand "Freedom Day" reopening on July 19. Hospitalizations and deaths are also on the rise, adding to concerns of an economic slowdown resulting from quarantines. Under such conditions, it is hard to justify further gains for GBP/USD.”

“A slowdown might cause even hawkish members of the Bank of England to reconsider their stances. Michael Saunders was the latest BoE official to suggest the bank should end its bond-buying scheme, sending sterling temporarily higher on Thursday. Any dovish comments could weigh on the pound.”

“Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said inflation is "uncomfortably high" but added that the situation of reopening the economy is "unique." Clouds of uncertainty are dollar-positive.”

“Investors are eyeing two significant releases – Retail Sales and Consumer Sentiment from the University of Michigan. In the preliminary consumer confidence figures for July, markets will likely focus on inflation expectations – the Fed is watching these surveys as well. Any sign that higher prices are anchored into people's mindsets could boost the dollar.”

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

EUR/USD meets initial support around 1.1800

EUR/USD remains on the back foot, although it has managed to reverse the initial strong pullback toward the 1.1800 region and regain some balance, hovering around the 1.1850 zone as the NA session draws to a close on Tuesday. Moving forward, market participants will now shift their attention to the release of the FOMC Minutes and US hard data on Wednesday.

GBP/USD bounces off lows, retargets 1.3550

After bottoming out just below the 1.3500 yardstick, GBP/USD now gathers some fresh bids and advances to the 1.3530-1.3540 band in the latter part of Tuesday’s session. Cable’s recovery comes as the Greenback surrenders part of its advance, although it keeps the bullish bias well in place for the day.

Gold remains offered below $5,000

Gold stays on the defensive on Tuesday, receding to the sub-$5,000 region per troy ounce on the back of the persistent move higher in the Greenback. The precious metal’s decline is also underpinned by the modest uptick in US Treasury yields across the spectrum.

Ethereum Price Forecast: BitMine extends ETH buying streak, says long-term outlook remains positive

Ethereum (ETH) treasury firm BitMine Immersion continued its weekly purchase of the top altcoin last week after acquiring 45,759 ETH.

UK jobs market weakens, bolstering rate cut hopes

In the UK, the latest jobs report made for difficult reading. Nonetheless, this represents yet another reminder for the Bank of England that they need to act swiftly given the collapse in inflation expected over the coming months.

Ripple slides to $1.45 as downside risks surge

Ripple edges lower at the time of writing on Tuesday, from the daily open of $1.48, as headwinds persist across the crypto market. A short-term support is emerging at $1.45, but a buildup of bearish positions could further weaken the derivatives market and prolong the correction.