|

GBP/USD: Will buyers retain control above 1.3400?

  • DXY on the defensive.
  • Risk-on underpins.
  • The UK high street lending, US data – key.

The bulls regained poise after the overnight dip, now pushing GBP/USD pair back towards the two-week tops of 1.3430, as we progress towards the early European trading.

GBP/USD finds support just below 1.34 handle

The risk-on sentiment is back in vogue on the back of the recent rally in commodities prices and positive performance on the Asian stock markets, which offered the fresh impetus to the risk currency GBP, driving the rates back above the 1.34 handle.

More so, persistent broad-based US dollar weakness combined with holiday-thinned trading remains supportive of the renewed strength seen around Cable. The USD index stalls its recovery mode and drops back towards 4-week lows of 92.53, despite a positive tone seen around the US rates. It’s worth noting that the reversal in 10-year Treasury yields from multi-month tops is the main driver of the ongoing broad USD weakness.

Markets now await the sentiment on the European markets and the UK Finance mortgage approvals data for fresh trading opportunities ahead of the US jobless claims, Chicago PMI and goods trade balance releases.

GBP/USD Forecast 2018: Sterling seen rangebound falling prey to Brexit mood swings

GBP/USD Technical Levels

According to Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at FXStreet, “The pair poses a modest positive stance according to technical readings in the 4 hours chart, as the pair is above a marginally bullish 20 SMA, also detaching from the 200 EMA that stands around 1.3340 with a modest upward slope. Technical indicators in the mentioned chart continue lacking directional strength, with the Momentum still around its 100 level, but the RSI indicator holding higher, around 57, this last leaning the scale towards the upside. The pair has multiple relevant highs in the 1.3465 region, a probable top for the upcoming sessions. Support levels: 1.3410 1.3375 1.3340. Resistance levels: 1.3420 1.3465 1.3500.”

Author

Dhwani Mehta

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

More from Dhwani Mehta
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD recedes to daily lows near 1.1850

EUR/USD keeps its bearish momentum well in place, slipping back to the area of 1.1850 to hit daily lows on Monday. The pair’s continuation of the leg lower comes amid decent gains in the US Dollar in a context of scarce volatility and thin trade conditions due to the inactivity in the US markets.

GBP/USD resumes the downtrend, back to the low-1.3600s

GBP/USD rapidly leaves behind Friday’s decent advance, refocusing on the downside and retreating to the 1.3630 region at the beginning of the week. In the meantime, the British Pound is expected to remain under the microscope ahead of the release of the key UK labour market report on Tuesday.

Gold looks inconclusive around $5,000

Gold partially fades Friday’s strong recovery, orbiting around the key $5,000 region per troy ounce in a context of humble gains in the Greenback on Monday. Additing to the vacillating mood, trade conditions remain thin amid the observance of the Presidents Day holiday in the US.

Bitcoin consolidates as on-chain data show mixed signals

Bitcoin price has consolidated between $65,700 and $72,000 over the past nine days, with no clear directional bias. US-listed spot ETFs recorded a $359.91 million weekly outflow, marking the fourth consecutive week of withdrawals.

The week ahead: Key inflation readings and why the AI trade could be overdone

It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

XRP steadies in narrow range as fund inflows, futures interest rise

Ripple is trading in a narrow range between $1.45 (immediate support) and $1.50 (resistance) at the time of writing on Monday. The remittance token extended its recovery last week, peaking at $1.67 on Sunday from the weekly open at $1.43.