|

GBP/USD: Trades a little softer before first budget – Scotiabank

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is trading a little softer ahead of Chancellor Reeves’ first budget (8.30ET) for Labour. The broad outlines of the government’s fiscal plans have been flagged to the media and markets, Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.  

GBP slips ahead of Labour government’s budget

“The anticipated mix of tax hikes and increased borrowing to invest in key policy priorities (health and infrastructure, for example) is getting scored as growth-positive by the Office of Fiscal Responsibility. The mix of growth enhancing fiscal policy plus tighter BoE monetary policy may be GBPsupportive in the medium term—assuming markets find Reeves’ plans credible.”

“GBP’s drop back from the intraday high in the low 1.30s leaves a negative look to the short-term chart via a bearish outside range session on the 6-hour chart. The drop interrupts the grinding improvement in Cable seen since last week’s rebound from the low 1.29 area and risks renewing downside momentum in the pound—if sustained over the session.”

“Support is 1.2940 and 1.2900/10. Resistance is 1.3025.”

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 holds steady above 1.1750 as traders await FOMC Minutes

The EUR/USD pair holds steady near 1.1770 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. Traders continue to price in the prospect of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve in 2026, following the 25-basis-point rate reduction delivered at the December meeting. The release of the Federal Open Market Committee Minutes will be in the spotlight later on Tuesday.

GBP/USD finds key support near 1.35 despite year-end grind

GBP/USD remains bolstered on the high end as markets grind through the last trading week of the year. Cable caught a bullish tilt to keep price action on the high side of the 1.3500 handle, though year-end holiday volumes are unlikely to see significant progress in either direction as 2025 draws to a close.

Gold holds above $4,300 after setting yet another record high

Spot Gold traded as high as $4,550 a troy ounce on Monday, fueled by persistent US Dollar weakness and a dismal mood. The XAU/USD pair was hit sharply by profit-taking during US trading hours and retreated towards $4,300, where buyers reappeared.

Ethereum: BitMine continues accumulation, begins staking ETH holdings

Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion continued its ETH buying spree despite the seasonal holiday market slowdown. The company acquired 44,463 ETH last week, pushing its total holdings to 4.11 million ETH or 3.41% of Ethereum's circulating supply, according to a statement on Monday. That figure is over 50% lower than the amount it purchased the previous week.

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.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).