GBP/USD firm near 1.3300 ahead of BoE

Cable’s upside stalled just below 1.3300 the figure overnight.
BoE is poised to hike rates after a decade.
Speculations points to a ‘dovish hike’.

Pablo Piovano FXStreet

The Sterling keeps the weekly upside well and sound despite Wednesday’s pullback and is now pushing GBP/USD to the vicinity of the 1.3300 handle, or session tops ahead of the BoE event.

GBP/USD all attention to the BoE

Cable is reverting yesterday’s retracement and keeps navigating the upper end of the range just pips away from the critical barrier at 1.3300 the figure.

GBP remains underpinned by solid expectations of a rate hike by the Bank of England at today’s meeting. However, previous market chatter over the likelihood of a ‘dovish hike’ could prompt investors to quickly ‘sell the fact’ and thus put the British Pound under renewed pressure.

Recent auspicious results from UK’s manufacturing PMI and advanced GDP figures for the third quarter keep underpinning the sentiment around GBP and somewhat reinforce the view of higher rates today.

In the US docket, the usual report on the labour market is due along with Challenger job cuts and speeches by FOMC’s J.Powell (dovish, permanent voter), Atlanta Fed R.Bostic (2018 voter, centrist) and NY Fed W.Dudley (permanent voter, centrist),

Further out in the US, attention remains on Trump’s announcement of the next Fed Chief (likely to be Jerome Powell) and Republicans should introduce the tax bill in Congress.

GBP/USD levels to consider

As of writing the pair is gaining 0.25% at 1.3279 and a breakout of 1.3299 (high Nov.2) would aim for 1.3338 (high Oct.13) and finally 1.3499 (2014-2017 resistance line). On the other hand, the next support emerges at 1.3210 (10-day sma) seconded by 1.3189 (55-day sma) and then 1.3070 (low Oct.27).

Author

Pablo Piovano

FXStreet

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

EUR/USD keeps the offered stance just above 1.1700

EUR/USD is coming under heavy selling pressure in what has been a rather grim start to the new trading week, with the pair now trading close to the 1.1700 support area as the US Dollar stages a solid rebound. The prevailing flight to safety mood continues to favour the Greenback, as investors react to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and trim risk exposure across the board.

GBP/USD hits new yearly lows near 1.3300

GBP/USD adds to the recent bearish tone, approaching to the key 1.3300 support to reach fresh YTD troughs against the backdrop of the robust performance of the US Dollar. Indeed, Cable’s decline comes amid the firm demand for the safe-haven space in the wake of the US and Israel attacks to Iran.

Gold trims losses, back below $5,400

Gold now surrenders part of the earlier advance past the $5,400 mark per troy ounce at the beginning of the week. Indeed, the precious metal’s strong uptick remains fuelled by increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East amid the intense demand for safer assets.