GBP/USD creeps back into 1.33 as risk recovery drags the GBP along for the ride

Sterling looking to capture further territory in broad-market recovery.
Mid-tier data for Thursday gives the GBP a chance to develop some bullish momentum if figures can beat.

Joshua Gibson FXStreet

The GBP/USD is trading just above the 1.3300 handle ahead of the London market session, continuing to lift tentatively after declining rapidly from April's high.

The Sterling has found some much-needed support from 1.3204 after declining over 8% from April's high of 1.4376. A lack of bullish confidence is likely still present, as the GBP rebounds against the Dollar in conjunction with broader market sentiment. Fears over Italy heading into a new round of elections and disrupting stability in the Eurozone have ebbed for now, and risk appetite has stepped back into the markets.

Thursday sees a round of data for the UK, beginning with the Nationwide Housing Prices measure for the month of May dropping at 06:00 GMT, with the y/y figure expected to tick up slightly from 2.6% to 3.0%. Shortly after that, at 08:30 GMT, will be a mixed bag, with April's Consumer Credit (forecast £1.63 billion, prev. £0.254 billion), m/m Net Lending to Individuals (expected £5.2 billion, prev. £5.4 billion), and Mortgage Approvals for April, forecast at 63 thousand compared to the previous reading of 62.914 thousand, a very minor uptick.

GBP/USD levels to watch

The Sterling remains exposed to further selling, and as FXStreet's Chief Analyst Valeria Bednarik noted, "in the short term, the risk remains skewed to the downside as in the 4 hours chart, the pair is unable to surpass its 20 SMA, hovering a few pips below it, while technical indicators continue heading nowhere within negative territory. The pair is holding barely 80 pips away from its yearly low ahead of a fresh catalyst, but today's behavior has shown that a recovery doesn't depend on dollar's weakness but on Pound's possible strength."

Support levels: 1.3245 1.3200 1.3160

Resistance levels: 1.3315 1.3350 1.3400

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 stays bid near 1.1650 ahead of Fed rate decision

EUR/USD keeps the green near the 1.1650 level in the European session on Wednesday. Markets turn cautious and ignore the US Dollar ahead of the US Federal Reserve interest rate decision later on Wednesday, where a 25 bps rate cut is almost fully priced in. Meanwhile, cautious ECB-speak keeps the Euro afloat.

GBP/USD holds gains above 1.3300, eyes on Fed outcome

GBP/USD trades on a firmer note above 1.3300 in Wednesday's European session. The US Dollar weakens against the Pound Sterling as the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce another interest rate cut on Wednesday. Next of note will be the UK monthly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report that will be published on Friday.

Gold struggles around $4,200, looks to Fed for fresh impetus

Gold extends its sideways consolidative price move through the European session and trades around $4,200 this Wednesday. Traders now seem reluctant and opt to wait for the outcome of a two-day FOMC policy meeting later in the day. The key focus will be on updated economic projections and Powell's speech.