|

GBP/USD slips below 1.3300 from 7-month high, US GDP, Brexit moves in spotlight

  • GBP/USD is near 1.3300 while heading towards London open on Thursday.
  • The pair failed to hold seven-month high marked on Wednesday as early-day strength of the USD triggered its pullback.
  • In addition to Brexit developments, an initial estimate of the US Q4 2018 GDP could direct near-term moves of the pair.

GBP/USD trades a shade lower than 1.3300 ahead of European session on Thursday. The pair surged to the seven months high near 1.3350 during late-Wednesday as the UK lawmakers favored the PM Theresa May’s previous motion to place delay of Article 50 for voting in the parliament. However, the Cable couldn’t hold those gains for long as early-day moves were supportive to the USD. 

The GBP/USD pair surged to the seven-month high after the British members of parliament (MPs) overwhelmingly backed the proposal to put the Article 50 delay on the vote, also known as Cooper's Brexit amendment F.

Though the Cable failed to hold the 1.3350 figure for long and slipped under 1.3300 as early-day data from Japan, New Zealand, AU and China didn’t go well and pushed investors toward the greenback.

Looking forward, the on-going drama in the UK parliament concerning Brexit could offer immediate impulse to the Cable. With the major events likely to take place from March 12, chances are high that GBP may continue portraying optimism based on Theresa May’s recent acts of putting forth the initial proposal which if turned down can escalate voting for ‘no-deal’ Brexit and delayed Article 50.

Also, Advanced estimates of the Q4 2018 US GDP is another important catalyst to watch. The growth figure is expected to soften to 2.3% from 3.4% registered during the previous quarter.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

In spite of declining below 1.3300, the pair is still above 1.3280 and 1.3230 support levels, which in turn could highlight 1.3200 rest-points.

On the upside, 1.3365 and 1.3400 may please buyers if they cross 1.3300 again.

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 remains above 0.7200 after China's trade data

AUD/USD sits above 0.7200 in the Asian session on Tuesday, near its highest level since May 14. The US Dollar stays under pressure as a rallying Japanese Yen outweighs support from hawkish Fed bets and geopolitical tensions. This, along with firming expectations for another RBA rate hike later this month, acts as a tailwind for the Aussie. However, mixed China trade balance data keep the pair restricted.

USD/JPY recovers to 154.00 amid hawkish BoJ repricing

USD/JPY is recovering from six-month lows of 152.89, retesting 154.00 in European trading on Tuesday. However, the upside attempts appear limited as Japan's upbeat wage growth data and Q2 GDP revision cement bets on a BoJ rate hike next week and continue to boost the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, US Dollar selling remains unabated despite hawkish Fed expectations and rising geopolitical tensions, lending additional support to the pair.

Gold traders seem hesitant below $4,450 as Fed rate hike bets counter softer USD

Gold retreats to the lower end of its daily range heading into the European session, though it holds above the $4,400 mark amid a softer US Dollar. However, hawkish US Federal Reserve expectations, along with persistent geopolitical uncertainties, offer some support to the safe-haven buck and keep a lid on the non-yielding bullion.

Ripple and Stellar outlook: Hold bullish bias above EMAs as derivatives back upside
Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) hold above the key support zones on Tuesday, hinting at an upside move. Derivatives metrics further support the recovery, with both altcoins showing positive funding rates and rising long positions. Derivatives data shows a bullish tilt among XRP and XLM traders.
Europe in focus: September 2026
Six major net contributors demanded substantial cuts to the European Commission’s proposed 2028–2034 EU budget. Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden issued a joint position on 27 August calling for the nearly €2 trillion proposal to be reduced by several hundred billion euros and rejecting additional common EU borrowing.
Diesel’s record $100 warning: The oil shock hiding in plain sight

The Oil market may look calmer than it did a few months ago, but diesel is sending a very different message. The US diesel crack spread, the premium of ultra-low sulphur diesel futures over WTI, recently surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching an intraday record of just over $102.00.