|

GBP/USD eases from highs, still positive near mid-1.3500s

   •  Extends overnight rebound from 1-1/2 week lows.
   •  A goodish pickup in the US bond yields capping gains. 
   •  US CPI and retail sales data eyed for fresh impetus.

The GBP/USD pair built on previous session up-move and continued gaining some positive traction, for the second consecutive session on Friday.

On Thursday, a strong wave of US Dollar selling pressure, primarily led by a hawkish interpretation of the ECB meeting minutes, helped the pair to rebound sharply from 1-1/2 week lows. The USD lost additional ground in wake of disappointing US economic releases, which further collaborated to the pair's rally of nearly 100-pips from session lows.

Data released on Thursday showed producer prices missed expectations dramatically and plunged in December. The PPI fell 0.1% in the last month of 2017, deflating the most since August 2016 and resurfaced concerns over stubbornly low inflationary pressure. 

The up-move, however, now seemed losing steam amid a goodish pickup in the US Treasury bond yields and the pair has now retreated around 25-pips from session tops to currently trade around the 1.3540 region.

There isn't any major market-moving economic data from the UK and hence, investors' focus would remain on important US macro releases - consumer inflation figures and monthly retail sales, which would be looked upon for fresh impetus on the last trading day of the week. 

Technical levels to watch

The key 1.3500 psychological mark now seems to protect the immediate downside, which if broken could drag the pair back towards the 1.3460-55 region (previous session's low) en-route its next support near 1.3430 level.

On the upside, momentum above 1.3565 level might confront some resistance near the 1.3585 region, above which the pair seems all set to aim towards retesting monthly tops resistance near the 1.3610-15 zone.
 

Author

Haresh Menghani

Haresh Menghani is a detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of extensive experience in analysing the global financial markets.

More from Haresh Menghani
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD extends slide toward 1.1800 on renewed USD strength

EUR/USD extends its daily slide and trades at a fresh weekly low below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February. 

GBP/USD falls below 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report

GBP/USD remains under heavy bearish pressure and falls toward 1.3500 on Tuesday. The UK employment data highlighted worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.

Gold recovers modestly, stays deep in red below $4,950

Gold (XAU/USD) stages a rebound but remains deep in negative territory below $4,950 after touching its weakest level in over a week near $4,850 earlier in the day. Renewed US Dollar strength makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather recovery momentum despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP upside looks limited amid deteriorating retail demand

The cryptocurrency market extends weakness with major coins including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) trading in sideways price action at the time of writing on Tuesday.

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.