The Pound Sterling (GBP) firmed somewhat and UK yields rose in response to stronger than expected UK Retail Sales data for September, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
GBP firms modestly on USD and EUR
“Sales rose 0.3% in the month, versus expectations of a 0.4% decline. Swaps pricing for the November BoE policy decision is little changed, however, with a quarter point cut still fully reflected in the market. EUR/GBP dipped below 0.83 briefly following the data but gains have been trimmed back somewhat over the course of the European morning session.”
“GBP continues to attract support on dips—although spot losses have extended a little below the potential base that was developing earlier this week.”
“Spot has eased back from its intraday high near 1.3075 made earlier in the session but a second net daily gain today would bolster short-term chances of a more sustained push above 1.31 and perhaps push on to test firmer resistance around 1.3175/00 into next week.”
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 hovers near 1.1350, two-week highs ahead of HCOB PMI for Eurozone
EUR/USD is hovering around 1.1340, close to two-week highs during the Asian trading hours. The Euro continues its winning streak for the fourth consecutive session ahead of the HCOB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the Eurozone, scheduled to be released later in the day.

GBP/USD rises to near 1.3450 ahead of UK PMI data
GBP/USD trades higher for the fourth successive day with trading around 1.3430 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The upside of the pair is attributed to the weaker US Dollar, which continues to face challenges after Moody’s downgraded the US credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, following similar downgrades by Fitch Ratings in 2023 and Standard & Poor’s in 2011.

Gold: Uptrend appears uninterrupted on PMI day
Gold price is on a roll higher for the fourth straight day on Thursday, flirting with two-week highs near the $3,350 mark. Buyers now look forward to the preliminary readings of the S&P Global US PMI due later in the day for the next leg higher.

Bitcoin punches new all-time high above $111,800 following brief shock from weak 20-year bond auction
Bitcoin (BTC) hit a new all-time high above $111,800 on Thursday, rebounding from a brief dip to $106,000. The surge followed weak demand in the US Treasury’s 20-year bond auction, which pushed yields above 5%, potentially shifting investor interest toward alternative assets like Bitcoin.

FOMO vs fundamentals: Retail buys the dip, institutional investors stay cautious
Retail optimism is rising, but institutions are still treading carefully amid lingering macro and earnings risks. Policy and fiscal uncertainty remain elevated, with trade tensions, U.S. debt concerns, and a cautious Fed dominating the backdrop.