- GBP/USD struggles to lure buyers ahead of the crucial inflation data from the UK and the US.
- A combination of factors keeps the USD bulls on the defensive and lends support to the pair.
- The fundamental backdrop supports prospects for an extension of a one-week-old uptrend.
The GBP/USD pair ticks lower during the Asian session on Wednesday and moves away from over a two-week high, around the 1.2870-1.2875 region touched the previous day. The downside, however, remains cushioned as traders keenly await the release of the latest consumer inflation figures from the UK and the US.
The UK CPI will play a key role in influencing the Bank of England's (BoE) monetary policy decision and drive the British Pound (GBP). Apart from this, the crucial US CPI report will be scrutinized for cues about the Federal Reserve's (Fed) rate cut path, which, in turn, should provide some meaningful impetus to the US Dollar (USD) and help in determining the next leg of a directional move for the GBP/USD pair.
Ahead of the high-impact macroeconomic data, the GBP might continue to draw some support from Tuesday's UK data showing a surprise drop in the unemployment rate. This, to a larger extent, overshadowed a jump in the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits, by 135 K in July, and a sharp deceleration in the wage growth, from the 5.7% YoY rate to 4.5% during the three months to June.
The USD, on the other hand, is undermined by expectations for bigger interest rate cuts by the Fed, bolstered by the softer-than-expected US Producer Price Index (PPI) on Tuesday. Apart from this, a generally positive risk tone keeps the USD bulls on the defensive and should act as a tailwind for the GBP/USD pair. Hence, any meaningful corrective slide might be seen as a buying opportunity and remain limited.
Economic Indicator
Consumer Price Index (YoY)
The United Kingdom (UK) Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Office for National Statistics on a monthly basis, is a measure of consumer price inflation – the rate at which the prices of goods and services bought by households rise or fall – produced to international standards. It is the inflation measure used in the government’s target. The YoY reading compares prices in the reference month to a year earlier. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the Pound Sterling (GBP), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Read more.Next release: Wed Aug 14, 2024 06:00
Frequency: Monthly
Consensus: 2.3%
Previous: 2%
Source: Office for National Statistics
The Bank of England is tasked with keeping inflation, as measured by the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) at around 2%, giving the monthly release its importance. An increase in inflation implies a quicker and sooner increase of interest rates or the reduction of bond-buying by the BOE, which means squeezing the supply of pounds. Conversely, a drop in the pace of price rises indicates looser monetary policy. A higher-than-expected result tends to be GBP bullish.
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
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD climbs to multi-month high above 1.1000 on broad USD weakness
EUR/USD extends its rally to a fresh six-month high above 1.1000 in the European session on Thursday. The pair benefits from the intense selling pressure surrounding the US Dollar after US President Trump unveiled aggressive tariffs on the "Liberation Day." Markets await mid-tier US data releases.
GBP/USD jumps above 1.3100 ahead of US data
GBP/USD is extending its upbeat momentum above 1.3100 in European trading on Thursday as the US Dollar slumps to a fresh YTD low. Worries about a tariff-driven US economic slowdown lift Fed rate cut bets and weigh on the Greenback. The focus now remains on the US data for further impetus.
Gold price moves further away from all-time peak; downside potential seems limited
Gold price extends its steady intraday pullback from the all-time peak touched this Thursday, though it manages to hold above the $3,100 mark through the early European session. Bullish traders opt to take some profits off the table and lighten their bets around the commodity amid slightly overbought conditions.
SOL is the winner as Solana chain turns into battleground for meme coin launchpad and DEX
Solana (SOL) gains nearly 2% in the last 24 hours and trades at 118.28 at the time of writing on Thursday. A Decentralized Exchange (DEX) and a meme coin launchpad built on the Solana blockchain have waged a war for users and compete for the trade volume on the chain.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on the way
United States (US) President Donald Trump’s self-styled “Liberation Day” has finally arrived. After four straight failures to kick off Donald Trump’s “day one” tariffs that were supposed to be implemented when President Trump assumed office 72 days ago, Trump’s team is slated to finally unveil a sweeping, lopsided package of “reciprocal” tariffs.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.