|

GBP/USD: Resistance line at 1.42 tilts the risks to the downside

GBP/USD has been advancing as the dollar fails to benefit from higher US inflation. Nonetheless, the dollar weakness is insufficient to break above downtrend resistance at 1.42. On Friday, responses to UK GDP and US Consumer Sentiment are set to rock markets, FXStreet’s Analyst Yohay Elam briefs.

US dollar may be down but not out, while sterling is suffering from various factors

“Investors have been shrugging off the jump in US inflation to 5% and trust the central bank to see through these bumps, seen as ‘transitory.’ The Federal Reserve may hint that it would taper bond-buys sometime in the future, but not anytime soon. This conviction sends stocks higher and Treasury yields lower, with the latter dragging the dollar down.”

“The UK's return to normal will likely be delayed for longer. According to the British press, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is contemplating a four-week delay to "Freedom Day" – the last stage of removing restrictions that was scheduled to June 21. Holding the economy back is weighing on the pound. Output expanded by 2.3% in April, marginally lower than expected but undoubtedly a rapid clip.”

“Later in the day, the University of Michigan publishes its preliminary read of US Consumer Sentiment figures for June. A minor bounce is on the cards.” 

“Some support is at 1.4160, which is where the 100 SMA hits the price. It is followed by 1.4110 and 1.4080.”

“Resistance awaits at 1.42, which is where the downtrend resistance was formed, and it is followed by 1.4220 and 1.4250, the latter is the 2021 peak.”

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
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 moves sideways below 1.1800 on Christmas Eve

EUR/USD struggles to find direction and trades in a narrow channel below 1.1800 after posting gains for two consecutive days. Bond and stock markets in the US will open at the usual time and close early on Christmas Eve, allowing the trading action to remain subdued. 

GBP/USD keeps range around 1.3500 amid quiet markets

GBP/USD keeps its range trade intact at around 1.3500 on Wednesday. The Pound Sterling holds the upper hand over the US Dollar amid pre-Christmas light trading as traders move to the sidelines heading into the holiday season. 

Gold retreats from record highs, trades below $4,500

Gold retreats after setting a new record-high above $4,520 earlier in the day and trades in a tight range below $4,500 as trading volumes thin out ahead of the Christmas break. The US Dollar selling bias remains unabated on the back of dovish Fed expectations, which continues to act as a tailwind for the bullion amid persistent geopolitical risks.

Bitcoin slips below $87,000 as ETF outflows intensify, whale participation declines

Bitcoin price continues to trade around $86,770 on Wednesday, after failing to break above the $90,000 resistance. US-listed spot ETFs record an outflow of $188.64 million on Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of withdrawals.

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.

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.