GBP/USD holds gains above 1.3050 ahead of BoE policy decision

GBP/USD appreciated as the Pound Sterling gained ahead of the BoE interest rate decision.
Traders expect the UK central bank to keep its policy rate unchanged at 4% in November.
US Dollar may regain strength as stronger economic figures have decreased the odds of a Fed rate cut in December.

Akhtar Faruqui FXStreet

GBP/USD extends its gains for the second successive session, trading around 1.3060 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The pair holds gains as the Pound Sterling (GBP) receives support ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE) interest rate decision due later in the day. The BoE is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at 4% in November, but softer inflation and wage data have strengthened the case for rate cuts in the coming months.

Expectations are mounting for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce stricter fiscal measures in her November 26 budget to tackle the UK’s substantial borrowing requirements. In a pre-budget address, Reeves hinted at potential tax hikes and underscored the importance of managing debt and borrowing expenses.

The GBP/USD pair also draws support as the US Dollar (USD) declines due to improved market sentiment, driven by the dampened likelihood of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in December. Fed funds futures traders are now pricing in a 62% chance of a cut in December, down from 68% a day ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

On the US data front, ADP Employment Change in the US climbed by 42,000 in October, compared to the 29,000 decrease (revised from -32,000) seen in September. This figure came in better than the estimations of 25,000. US ISM Services PMI climbed to 52.4 in October, from 50.0 prior and exceeding analysts’ forecasts of 50.8.

Economic Indicator

BoE Interest Rate Decision

The Bank of England (BoE) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the BoE is hawkish about the inflationary outlook of the economy and raises interest rates it is usually bullish for the Pound Sterling (GBP). Likewise, if the BoE adopts a dovish view on the UK economy and keeps interest rates unchanged, or cuts them, it is seen as bearish for GBP.

AUD/USD consolidates above 0.6950 amid risk aversion

AUD/USD consolidates in the Asian session on Thursday, trading just above 0.6950 as traders assess developments in the Middle East crisis. The Pentagon reportedly ordered readiness for potential strikes against Iran. This keeps the geopolitical risk premium in play, which, along with hawkish FOMC Minutes and elevated US bond yields, will likely keep the US Dollar underpinned at the expense of the pair.

USD/JPY slips below 158.00 as USD retreats

USD/JPY returns to the red below 158.00 in the Asian session on Thursday amid speculation that authorities will step in to prop up the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, the US Dollar eases from near an 18-month high on profit taking, ignoring Wednesday's hawkish FOMC Minutes and the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East, adding to the pair's pullback.

Gold rebounds from two-month lows; will it sustain?

Gold is bouncing back toward $4,150 early Thursday after defending $4,100 on Wednesday. US Dollar retreats on profit-taking, despite high Treasury yields and hawkish Fed Minutes. Risks remain skewed to the downside for Gold while RSI stays bearish.

Cryptocurrencies face new security risk as Ethereum researcher warns of potential ECDSA break

Ethereum (ETH) researcher Justin Drake has urged the crypto industry to begin preparing for a potential breakthrough that could undermine the cryptographic systems securing digital assets. In an X post on Wednesday, Drake called on the industry to calmly enter what he described as “bunker mode.”

The Fed trap is tightening

Gold is getting punched in the mouth again today. And if you’ve been following this bull market for any length of time, you know that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it may be giving us exactly the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.

The UK 30-year gilt just hit a 1998 high. Is that good or bad for the British Pound?

The yield on the UK's 30-year government bond, or gilt, went through 6% on October 1 for the first time since early 1998, and on Monday the Pound was at its strongest against the Euro since June 2025. The gilt market's 28-year high is mostly someone else's. Since early May, the 30-year gilt yield has risen about 0.15 of a percentage point and the US 30-year about 0.7.