GBP/USD holds steady above 1.2400; upside potential seems limited amid bullish USD

GBP/USD kicks off the new week on a subdued note as USD stands near a two-year high.
The Fed’s hawkish shift, trader war fears and geopolitical risks underpin the safe-haven buck.
The fundamental backdrop warrants caution before positioning for any meaningful recovery.

Haresh Menghani FXStreet

The GBP/USD pair struggles to capitalize on Friday's modest recovery gains and oscillates in a range, above the 1.2400 mark at the start of a new week. Spot prices, meanwhile, remain close to the lowest level since April 2024 touched last week and seem vulnerable to prolonging over a three-month-old downtrend on the back of a bullish US Dollar (USD).

In fact, the USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, stands firm near a two-year high amid the optimism over US President-elect Donald Trump's expansionary policies and the Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish outlook. Adding to this concerns over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, along with geopolitical risks stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war and rising tensions in the Middle East, underpins the safe-haven buck and act as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair.

Meanwhile, the sentiment surrounding the British Pound (GBP) remains weak amid a series of weak data from the UK recently and doubts about the newly elected Labour government’s fiscal strategy. Furthermore, the Bank of England's (BoE) relatively dovish stance and a split vote decision to leave interest rates unchanged in December might continue to weigh on the GBP. This validates the negative outlook for the GBP/USD pair as traders look to the final UK Services PMI for a fresh impetus.

Later during the North American session, the US macro data – final Services PMI and Factory Orders – might influence the USD and contribute to producing short-term opportunities. Nevertheless, the fundamental backdrop seems tilted in favor of the USD bulls and suggests that the path of least resistance for the GBP/USD pair is to the downside. Investors, however, might opt to wait for this week's important US economic releases, including the crucial US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) on Friday.

Pound Sterling FAQs

What is the Pound Sterling?

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).

How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling?

The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.

How does economic data influence the value of the Pound?

Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound?

Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

Author

Haresh Menghani

FXStreet

Haresh Menghani is a detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of extensive experience in analysing the global financial markets.

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