Pound Sterling Price News and Forecast: GBP/USD holds gains amid increasing Fed rate cut bets in December

FXStreet Team FXStreet

GBP/USD treads water above 1.3150 as Fed rate cuts climb

GBP/USD inches higher after three days of losses, trading around 1.3160 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair holds ground as the US Dollar (USD) struggles amid improving Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut bets. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are now pricing in 71% probability of a Fed rate cut in December, up from 66% the previous day.

However, the upside of the GBP/USD pair could be limited as the Greenback may receive support from decreasing odds of further Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that the central bank is struggling to balance its dual mandate of controlling inflation and supporting employment due to limited data availability amid the ongoing US government shutdown. Powell cautioned that policymakers may have to adopt a wait-and-see approach until official data reporting resumes. He also added that another rate cut in December is far from certain, emphasizing that the outlook remains uncertain. Read more...

GBP/USD tests six months lows as Pound Sterling continues to sink

GBP/USD fell again on Thursday, grinding down toward the 1.3100 handle and tipping into six month lows at 1.3116. The Pound Sterling (GBP) continues to shed weight against the US Dollar (USD), and is down over 2% against the Greenback through the month of October alone.

Cable has declined for all but one of the last ten straight trading days, plummeting from a half-hearted swing high into 1.3450 and is now knocking on the 1.3100 handle. GBP/USD has fallen below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.3275, setting up Pound sellers for a continued backslide. Read more...

GBP/USD sinks below 1.32 as Powell’s 'hawkish cut' strengthens US Dollar

GBP/USD extends its losses for the third straight day on Thursday, diving over 0.25% as traders push the exchange rate below the 1.3200 handle, following the Federal Reserve's (Fed) 'hawkish' rate cut as the Chairman Jerome Powell poured cold water on a reduction in December’s meeting. At the time of writing, GBP/USD trades at 1.3160 after hitting a daily high of 1.3218.

On Wednesday, the Fed cut rates to 3.75%-4% amid the lack of economic data due to the US government shutdown, entering its thirtieth day. The decision was not unanimous, with Fed Governor Stephen Miran opting for a 50-bps cut, while the Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid voted to hold rates unchanged. Read more...

Author

FXStreet Team

FXStreet

Composed of a group of economic journalists and FX experts, the FXStreet content team produces and oversees all content published on FXStreet. It provides a purely journalistic approach to the Forex market.

AUD/USD stays weak above 0.6900 after China’s trade data

AUD/USD struggles to capitalize on the previous day’s recovery and stays defensive on the 0.6900 level following the narrowing of trade surplus in China. Increased December Fed rate hike bets allows the US Dollar to pause its decline and weigh on the pair. US CPI data is next of note for the major.

USD/JPY retakes 158.00 on weak Japanese data; focus shifts to US CPI

USD/JPY attracts some dip-buyers and retakes 158.00 in the Asian session on Tuesday as a fall in Japan’s Household Spending offsets hawkish BoJ Summary of Opinions, undermining the Japanese Yen. Moreover, Fed hike bets support the safe-haven US Dollar and the currency pair. The market focus now shifts to the release of the crucial US CPI report.

Gold sticks to modest losses amid Fed hike bets; holds above $4,100 ahead of US CPI

Gold meets fresh supply, eroding a part of the previous day's strong gains to the $4,150 resistance zone, albeit it holds above the $4,100 mark heading into the European session. Firming US Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations turn out to be a key factor driving flows away from the non-yielding bullion. Meanwhile, the US Dollar struggles to lure buyers amid mixed signals regarding the state of diplomatic talks between the US and Iran, offering some support to the commodity as traders seem hesitant ahead of US consumer inflation figures.

Bitcoin hits lowest weekly close since August as short-term holders slip into losses

Bitcoin fell below $75,000 on Tuesday, after recording its lowest weekly close since August as selling pressure pushed recent buyers into losses.

This weeks’ two big inflation reports will offer perspective

Payrolls on Friday surprised with a big gain, 165,000 new jobs rather than the 65,000 forecast. Also the unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 4.1% although average hourly earnings are up only 0.4% ($32.75). This weeks’ two big inflation reports will offer perspective. Tomorrow it’s CPI and on Friday, which is a Friday the 13th, it’s PPI.

Gold reclaimed $4,100. Tuesday’s CPI test decides if it holds

Gold (XAU/USD) starts the week on a positive note, reclaiming the $4,100 psychological level as the US Dollar (USD) retreats from its recent highs. The precious metal recovers from Friday's losses, although investors remain cautious ahead of Tuesday's US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which could determine the next direction for Bullion.