GBP/USD continues to climb ahead of another key double-header data dump

GBP/USD made firms gains on Wednesday as Greenback flows recede further.
Cable traders are finding their risk appetite ahead of key UK and US data.
UK quarterly GDP and US PPI inflation data dumps due on Thursday.

Joshua Gibson FXStreet

GBP/USD gained even more ground on Wednesday, climbing nearly six-tenths of one percent as US Dollar (USD) flows continues to wither. The Pound Sterling (GBP) is enjoying a much-needed bullish shift in fundamentals as United Kingdom (UK) economic data outpaces new soft spots appearing in key economic figures from the United States (US).

GBP/USD is extending one-sided bullish momentum north of the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), climbing into 1.3600 after closing flat or higher for all but one of the last nine trading sessions. Cable has risen over 3.35% bottom-to-top after finding a technical floor near the 200-day EMA near 1.3150, but could be poised to run out of bullish momentum near the last swing high.

UK growth, US producer-level inflation on the docket

After a lull in the economic data docket on Wednesday, key data releases are now on the radar for Thursday. UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the second quarter will be releasing first, and are expected to show a general slowdown in UK economic growth. UK Industrial and Manufacturing figures from June are also expected to recover from a dip early in the second quarter, but the backdated data is unlikely to drive much market momentum.

On the US side, Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation data for July will be released later on Thursday. Producer prices tend to entirely exclude imported goods and services, so tariff impacts on PPI inflation should remain muted in the near term.

GBP/USD daily chart

Pound Sterling FAQs

What is the Pound Sterling?

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).

How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling?

The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.

How does economic data influence the value of the Pound?

Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound?

Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

Author

Joshua Gibson

FXStreet

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD climbs toward 1.1800 on broad USD weakness

EUR/USD gathers bullish momentum and advances toward 1.1800 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. The US Dollar weakens and helps the pair stretch higher after the employment report showed that Nonfarm Payrolls declined by 105,000 in October before rising by 64,000 in November.

GBP/USD gains ground above 1.3400 on UK PMI optimism

The GBP/USD pair gains momentum to around 1.3425 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The Pound Sterling edges higher against the Greenback on the upbeat UK preliminary S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index data. Traders will take more cues from the Fedspeak later on Wednesday.

Gold extends the range play around $4,300

Gold edges higher during the Asian session on Wednesday, though it remains confined in a multi-day-old trading range. Dovish Fed-inspired bearish sentiment surrounding the US Dollar, along with the risk-off mood, acts as a tailwind for the safe-haven bullion. However, hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal hold back the XAU/USD bulls from placing aggressive bets. Traders also seem reluctant ahead of the crucial US consumer inflation figures on Thursday.

XRP dips as bearish pressure persists despite ETF growth

Ripple is finding footing above $1.90 at the time of writing on Tuesday after a bearish wave swept across the broader cryptocurrency market, building on persistent negative sentiment.

Ukraine-Russia in the spotlight once again

Since the start of the week, gold’s price has moved lower, but has yet to erase the gains made last week. In today’s report we intend to focus on the newest round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, whilst noting the release of the US Employment data later on day and end our report with an update in regards to the tensions brewing in Venezuela.

BNB Price Forecast: BNB slips below $855 as bearish on-chain signals and momentum indicators turn negative

BNB, formerly known as Binance Coin, continues to trade down around $855 at the time of writing on Tuesday, after a slight decline the previous day. Bearish sentiment further strengthens as BNB’s on-chain and derivatives data show rising retail activity.