- GBP/USD remains under pressure near 1.3050 as cautious market sentiment overshadows the brief recovery sparked by UK employment data.
- US CPI data will be Wednesday’s highlight.
- Markets will also follow Tuesday’s US presidential debate.
The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive, slipping toward 1.3050 during the American session. Despite a temporary boost from positive UK employment data earlier in the day, the pair struggles to hold its ground amid a cautious market atmosphere.
On Tuesday, the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the ILO Unemployment Rate slightly decreased to 4.1% for the three months ending in July, down from 4.2%, aligning with market expectations. Employment figures showed significant improvement, with an increase of 265,000 jobs during the same period, compared to the previous rise of 97,000. Meanwhile, annual wage growth, as indicated by the Average Earnings Excluding Bonus, slowed to 5.1% from 5.4%.
The upcoming US inflation data will be in focus this week, with the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) set to be released on Wednesday. Headline inflation is anticipated to ease to 2.6% YoY, down from 2.9% in July, while core inflation is expected to hold steady at 3.2% YoY. On Thursday, Producer Price Index (PPI) data is expected to show a decrease in headline inflation to 1.7% YoY, compared to 2.2% in July. Meanwhile, expectations for Federal Reserve easing have stabilized, with the likelihood of a 50 basis point rate cut this month dropping to 20-25%. The market continues to anticipate 100-125 basis points of easing by the end of the year, with no Fed speakers scheduled until Chair Powell’s press conference on September 18.
GBP/USD Technical Outlook
The GBP/USD has fallen below the 20-day Simple Moving Average which paints the outlook with bearishness, at least for the short-term. However, as the pair holds the 100 and 200-day SMAs the overall outlook remains positive.
In the meantime, indicators including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) flattened in negative areas, suggesting that the current bearish pressure is not a threat.
GBP/USD Daily chart
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
AUD/USD stays heavy under 0.6150 after China's inflation data
AUD/USD is deep in the red below 0.6150 in Thursday's Asian trading, reversing the previous recovery led by US President Trump's decision for an immediate 90-day tariff pause for many countries. However, escalaitng US-China trade war and Chinese disinflation remain a drag on the Aussie pair.
USD/JPY tumbles below 147.00, awaits US CPI for fresh impetus
USD/JPY has come under intense selling presure and drops below 147.00 in the Asian session on Thursday. The US-China trade war escalation and the divergent BoJ-Fed policy expectations underpin the Japanese Yen and weigh heavily on the pair amid a renewed US Dollar downtick. US CPI awaited.
Gold sticks to gains near $3,1000 amid escalating US-China trade tensions
Gold price extends the previous rebound to trade near $3,100 in the Asian session on Thursday. The safe-haven demand amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China provides some support to the precious metal but the further upside appears elusive ahead of US CPI data.
Senate approves Paul Atkins as new SEC Chair
The Senate voted 52-44 on Wednesday to approve Paul Atkins as the new SEC Chair. The news could improve sentiment in the crypto market, considering Atkins has previously advocated for better crypto regulations and served as an advisor to crypto companies.
Tariff rollercoaster continues as China slapped with 104% levies
The reaction in currencies has not been as predictable. The clear winners so far remain the safe-haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc, no surprises there, while the euro has also emerged as a quasi-safe-haven given its high liquid status.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.