|

GBP/USD revisits 1.3000 mark despite Easter Monday, Brexit pessimism

  • Political uncertainty surrounding the UK seems less observed ahead of the British parliament’s re-open on April 23.
  • The US data will be in the focus for determining near-term trade direction while 200-day SMA will be a crucial support to watch.

The British Pound (GBP) is taking the rounds near 1.3000 mark versus the US Dollar (USD) during early Monday. The GBP/USD pair recently bounced off 200-day simple moving average (SMA) despite negative Brexit headlines and Easter Monday holidays at the majority of global markets.

Recently, the Sunday Times’ report conveyed that the senior conservative leader is set to tell the UK Prime Minister Theresa May to quite her position while the BBC said that the opposition Labour party is promoting another Brexit referendum as a selling point for their EU election pitch. Both these news reports are portraying pessimism surrounding the Brexit.

However, traders reacted positively to the news and triggered the pair’s pullback from 200-day SMA. 

There could be various arguments ranging from the initial reaction to Friday’s US housing market numbers to the traders’ speculations ahead of the UK parliament’s open on April 23 that justify the move.

Moving on, March month figures of the US Chicago Fed National activity index and existing home sales could entertain the Cable traders on an otherwise dull day for trading. The housing market indicator may flash another downbeat figure whereas activity index was in the negative territory during the latest release.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

Despite bouncing off the important SMA, the pair needs to surpass 1.3050 and a descending trend-line stretched since March 13, at 1.3070, in order to confront 50-day SMA level of 1.3100. If at all prices rally beyond 1.3100, the current month high near 1.3135 can flash on buyers’ radar.

Alternatively, 200-day SMA level of 1.2970 and 100-day SMA near 1.2955 can act as immediate rest for the pair, a break of which can recall 1.2930, 1.2910 and 1.2880 support back on the chart.

Author

Anil Panchal

Anil Panchal

FXStreet

Anil Panchal has nearly 15 years of experience in tracking financial markets. With a keen interest in macroeconomics, Anil aptly tracks global news/updates and stays well-informed about the global financial moves and their implications.

More from Anil Panchal
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD hangs near three-week low, below 0.6950 as traders await US NFP report

AUD/USD hits a three-week low during the Asian session on Friday as the RBA’s dovish shift and a rout in equity markets weigh on the risk-sensitive Aussie. However, the recent slump in US bond yields to a two-month low keeps US Dollar bulls on the back foot and limits losses for the currency pair as traders look to the US NFP report for a fresh impetus.

USD/JPY bounces off three-week low; keeps the red near 157.65 as focus remains on US NFP

USD/JPY bounces off the weekly low set during the Asian session, as bears turn cautious ahead of the US NFP report due later this Friday. The upside seems limited as the recent slump in US bond yields and hopes of Iran war de-escalation undermine the US Dollar. Moreover, a hawkish BoJ and intervention risks support the Japanese Yen, capping the pair.

Gold loses the grip; $4,000 comes next on the downside

Gold sets aside two daily advances in a row on Friday, opening the door to a potential test of the key $4,000 mark per troy ounce. The precious metal’s retracement follows a decent improvement in the sentiment surrounding the US Dollar, solid NFP data and higher US Treasury yields across the board.

Democrats win House and Senate in US midterms: Why isn’t all bad news for crypto

The biggest story this week was Tuesday’s US midterm elections, which saw Democrats win control of both the House and the Senate in a clear blue wave. This political shift in the US has triggered sharp price swings across the cryptocurrency market.

Week ahead – Inflation and geopolitics in focus as US political landscape shifts

Post-midterm election euphoria fizzles out as risk aversion prevails. US CPI, PPI and Fedspeak on the radar as Fed hike bets remain supported. Oil retreat pauses on mixed hopes about the ongoing conflicts.

US Dollar breaks below 101.50 as Democrats sweep Congress
The US Dollar (USD) comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) falling around 0.5% to trade near 101.35 after sliding below the 101.50 level. The Greenback retreats to its lowest level in four weeks as investors reassess the political and economic outlook following the Democratic Party's sweeping victory in the United States (US) midterm elections.