|

GBP/USD holds above 1.2900 as traders brace of US CPI data

  • Trump warns of economic turbulence due to ongoing "period of transition."
  • US recession fears rise, fueling bets for 80 bps of Fed rate cuts in 2025.
  • DXY weakens to 103.76 as investors shift to safe-haven currencies.
  • Traders eye US CPI on Wednesday and UK GDP figures on Friday for direction.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) consolidates within familiar levels against the US Dollar (USD) amid a scarce economic docket on Monday. Key United States (US) inflation data and the United Kingdom's (UK) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures are due later in the week. GBP/USD trades at 1.2915, up 0.04%.

Sterling steady amid US inflation concerns and UK GDP anticipation

Sentiment remains dismal due to concerns about US President Donald Trump's trade policies. On Friday, he said that his policies could lead to economic turbulence in the short term due to undergoing a “period of transition” because what he’s doing is very “big.”

In the meantime, fears that the US economy could be tipped into a recession or, worse, a stagflationary scenario, keep investors leaning into safe-haven currencies like the Swiss Franc (CHF) and the Japanese Yen (JPY). Consequently, expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could ease policy have risen, with market participants estimating 80 basis points of easing towards year-end, revealed data from the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).

Meanwhile, the Greenback extended its losses, with the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the buck against a basket of six other currencies, down 0.14% at 103.76.

The New York Fed Consumer Sentiment Survey revealed that inflation expectations for one year in February increased from 3% to 3.1%. For the three—and five-year periods, they remained unchanged at 3%. Americans expect price increases in gas, rent, and food.

This week, the US economic docket will feature the JOLTs Job Opening on Tuesday, followed by the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. Across the pond, GBP/USD traders will eye GDP figures on Friday.

GBP/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook

The GBP/USD pair trades sideways for the second straight day, unable to decisively crack the 1.2950 figure. The price action suggests that the pair is poised to edge higher. Nevertheless, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates that the pair is overbought and an appreciation of the US Dollar could drive GBP/USD to challenge the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.2788.

Conversely, if GBP/USD climbs past 1.2950, expect a test of the 1.3000 mark.

British Pound PRICE Today

The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the Canadian Dollar.

 USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD 0.00%0.05%-0.68%0.35%-0.07%-0.20%-0.06%
EUR0.00% 0.01%-0.68%0.36%0.02%-0.22%-0.18%
GBP-0.05%-0.01% -0.74%0.32%0.01%-0.29%-0.12%
JPY0.68%0.68%0.74% 1.02%0.67%0.39%0.69%
CAD-0.35%-0.36%-0.32%-1.02% -0.45%-0.54%-0.44%
AUD0.07%-0.02%-0.01%-0.67%0.45% -0.24%-0.17%
NZD0.20%0.22%0.29%-0.39%0.54%0.24% 0.21%
CHF0.06%0.18%0.12%-0.69%0.44%0.17%-0.21% 

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).

Author

Christian Borjon Valencia

Christian Borjon began his career as a retail trader in 2010, mainly focused on technical analysis and strategies around it. He started as a swing trader, as he used to work in another industry unrelated to the financial markets.

More from Christian Borjon Valencia
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD bounces toward 1.1750 as US Dollar loses strength

EUR/USD returned to the 1.1750 price zone in the American session on Friday, despite falling Wall Street, which indicates risk aversion. Trading conditions remain thin following the New Year holiday and ahead of the weekend, with the focus shifting to US employment and European data scheduled for next week.

GBP/USD nears 1.3500, holds within familiar levels

After testing 1.3400 on the last day of 2025, GBP/USD managed to stage a rebound. Nevertheless, the pair finds it difficult to gather momentum and trades with modest intraday gains at around 1.3490 as market participants remain in holiday mood.

Gold trims intraday gains, approaches $4,300

Gold retreated sharply from the $4,400  area and trades flat for the day in the $4,320 price zone. Choppy trading conditions exacerbated the intraday decline, although XAU/USD bearish case is out of the picture, considering growing expectations for a dovish Fed and persistent geopolitical tensions.

Cardano gains early New Year momentum, bulls target falling wedge breakout

Cardano kicks off the New Year on a positive note and is extending gains, trading above $0.36 at the time of writing on Friday. Improving on-chain and derivatives data point to growing bullish interest, while the technical outlook keeps an upside breakout in focus.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).