GBP/USD holds steady above mid-1.3300s as traders await key data and BoE this week

GBP/USD struggles to lure buyers on Monday amid a modest US Dollar uptick.
Dovish Fed expectations act as a headwind for the USD and support the major.
Traders keenly await this week’s key macro releases and the BoE rate decision.

Haresh Menghani FXStreet

The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive during the Asian session on Monday, though it lacks bearish conviction and holds above the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) pivotal support. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3360 region, nearly unchanged for the day.

The US Dollar (USD) is looking to build on last week's modest bounce from an over two-month low and is turning out to be a key factor acting as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair. A slight deterioration in the global risk sentiment – as depicted by a generally weaker tone around the equity markets – is seen offering some support to the safe-haven buck. The USD bulls, however, seem reluctant to place aggressive bet amid dovish US Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations.

Despite the Fed's cautious signal last week, traders are still pricing in the possibility of two more interest rate cuts next year as signs of a weakening labor market are becoming increasingly evident. Furthermore, the prospect of a Trump-aligned Fed chair should keep a lid on any meaningful USD recovery and help limit the downside for the GBP/USD pair. Traders also seem reluctant ahead of this week's important macro releases and the central bank event risk.

The UK monthly employment details will be published on Tuesday, ahead of the delayed US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report for October. This will be followed by the latest UK inflation figures on Wednesday and the crucial Bank of England (BoE) policy decision on Thursday, which will play a key role in influencing the British Pound (GBP). Apart from this, the US consumer inflation figures on Thursday could determine the near-term trajectory for the GBP/USD pair.

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.

GBP/USD hits multi-week tops around 1.3560

GBP/USD gathers fresh steam and advances to new three-month peaks near the 1.3560 zone on Friday. Cable’s sharp move higher comes after three daily drops in a row and follows the increasing selling pressure hurting the Greenback.

EUR/USD pops to fresh two-month highs, targets 1.1600

EUR/USD advances markedly, revisiting the upper 1.1500s for the first time since mid-June. The pair’s sharp uptick comes on the back of a strong retracement in the US Dollar amid BoJ intervention chatter and despite steady uncertainty in the Middle East.

Gold picks up pace, approaches $4,400

Gold rebounds toward the $4,400 mark per troy ounce on Friday, reversing the previous day’s pullback. The precious metal’s recovery comes as fresh and intense weakness keep weighing on the US Dollar, while traders keep assessing easing expectations of an imminent Fed interest rate hike and the situation from the Middle East.

Pi Network Price Forecast: PI extends consolidation as bulls eye $0.10

Pi Network (PI) price holds steady on Friday, maintaining a consolidating tone for three consecutive days. Mild retail strength in the PI token remains stable, with Open Interest above $9 million, while social buzz eases. PI token’s technical outlook is mixed, as bearish momentum wanes to neutral, with bulls eyeing the $0.1000 psychological level.

Weekly focus: Some relief in US inflation concerns

Actual inflation data for July came out as expected with a 0.1% m/m increase in headline CPI and 0.2% excluding food and energy. Annual headline inflation remains too high at 3.4% and means that wage earners are experiencing stagnating spending power at best, and core inflation is a bit higher than the inflation target of two percent would suggest.

Why is Crude Oil priced for a reopening the ships haven't made?

Fourteen vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Before the war, the count ran near 120 a day. In the sessions since the waterway was publicly declared open, Brent has drifted back to $87 and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to $81, both a little lower again on Wednesday, with daily momentum on each unwound from the top of its range in late July to the low twenties now.