Get started

BOE

GBP/USD edges lower, BoE's Bailey says no to rate cutsThe British pound has edged lower on Wednesday. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2287, down 0.10%. There are no tier-1 releases out of the UK or the US today, leaving investors to focus on comments from Bank of England Governor Bailey earlier in the day. The Bank of England kept rates on hold for a second straight time last week at 5.25%, the highest level in 15 years. Investors were keen to hear from Governor Bailey who spoke today in Ireland. Bailey sounded hawkish, reiterating that rates would have to remain "restrictive for an extended period" in order to bring inflation back down to the 2% target. Bailey said that the BoE is projecting that inflation will fall back to target in about two years. Will the BoE cut rates anytime soon? Bailey flat-out rejected the idea, stating that "it's really too early to be talking about cutting rates". However, BoE Chief Economist Huw Phill appeared to contradict his boss, saying on Monday that a cut in August 2024 "doesn't seem unreasonable". Phill noted that too restrictive a policy could create a recession and push inflation below target.  The discussion over rate cuts may be hypothetical at present, but rates will have to come down eventually and BoE policy makers are likely to have differences of opinions on the matter. In the US, Fed Chair Powell made public remarks earlier today but did not address monetary policy. Fed Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said on Tuesday that the Fed may need to raise rates if inflation falls too slowly. Bowman said that the Fed has made progress on the inflation front but it remains too high, with services inflation remaining stubborn and the risk of higher energy prices. The markets have priced in a rate cut as early as May, with the odds of a rate cut of at least 0.25% rising to 51%, up from 40% a week ago, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. There is resistance at 1.2348 and 1.2476 GBP/USD tested support at 1.2287 earlier. Below, there is support at 1.2183
by OANDA
GBP/USD Upward Movement to 1.25!On Tuesday, the GBP/USD exchange rate faced renewed downward pressure, falling towards the 1.2250 level. This decline was driven by the ongoing recovery of the US Dollar, supported by rising Treasury yields, despite positive movements in Wall Street. The GBP/USD exchange rate was last seen trading near 1.2300, where it encountered a key resistance zone marked by the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level from the latest downward trend and the 20-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart. If the exchange rate falls below this level and confirms it as resistance, we may witness further losses towards 1.2260 (static level) and 1.2200 (23.6% Fibonacci retracement level and the 50-period SMA). During Tuesday's European session, the GBP/USD exchange rate faced pressure and dropped into the 1.2300 region. The short-term technical outlook for the exchange rate suggests a bearish stance. In the absence of significant data releases, market sentiment and risk perception could play a crucial role in GBP/USD performance in the second half of the day. After reaching its highest level since mid-September at 1.2428 on Monday, the GBP/USD exchange rate reversed direction and closed in negative territory. The rebound in US Treasury bond yields increased demand for the US Dollar (USD) and prevented the exchange rate from holding onto previous gains. Earlier in the day, UK house price data revealed a 1.1% monthly increase in October, but this publication did not trigger a significant market reaction. Furthermore, the price retraced precisely to the 0.62 Fibonacci level, and now I personally expect a rebound to 1.23, where we have a supply zone, followed by a slight pullback and then a rise to 1.25. Let me know what you think. Happy trading to all, greetings from Nicola, the CEO of Forex48 Trading Academy.
Long
by Forex48_TradingAcademy
8
GBPUSD: Rejection from trendline, supported by fundamentals?As we can see price has is currently respecting the descending trendline again. I'm expecting the BoE to maintain their hike-pause stance, this result is already baked into the price... I'm placing a small trade on the basis that my expectations will be correct... If there's a pause or reduction (highly unlikely) I'm expecting a fall back to around 1.208 to continue the creation of the wedge, important not to be greedy here as I feel like we could break out of the wedge at anytime, so probably will be considering buys once this trade is closed and keep a close eye on PA in the LTF's. Let's see what the BoE do!
Short
by Finchcliffe
5
British pound gets lift as Fed and BoE pausesThe British pound has posted strong gains on Thursday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2216, up 0.54%. Bank of England pauses The Bank of England voted to maintain interest rates at 5.25% at today's meeting. The pauses follow 14 straight rate increases in the current tightening cycle which began in December 2021. The move indicates that the MPC is sticking to the "Table Mountain" approach, which is essentially a "higher for longer" stance that keeps rates at elevated levels until the BoE is confident that inflation will fall back to the 2% target. The MPC vote was 6-3, with the majority favoring a pause and three members voting to hike rates by a quarter-point. At the September meeting, the vote to pause was 5-4. The division within the MPC indicates that members remain divided over policy, which will make it difficult for Governor Bailey to present a clear path moving forward. The BoE revised inflation projections slightly higher and the statement noted that the BoE stood ready to raise rates if it sees "more persistent inflationary pressures". The markets are hoping that the back-to-back pauses mark the end of the current rate-tightening cycle, but rate cuts aren't expected until late in 2024. Governor Bailey said after the meeting that higher interest rates had pushed inflation lower but it was "much too early to be thinking about rate cuts." US dollar dips after Fed pause The Federal Reserve held rates for a second straight time on Wednesday. The Fed reiterated that rate hikes remained on the table, but acknowledged that "tighter financial and credit conditions" were weighing on inflation. This was likely a reference to the recent rise in US Treasuries, which has increased borrowing costs and could push inflation lower without the Fed having to raise rates. If Powell was trying to sound hawkish, the markets weren't buying it. Future markets have priced in another pause in December and expectations are that the Fed is done with hiking, despite Powell's assertion to the contrary. The US dollar is down against all of the majors and US stock markets were strongly higher on Wednesday. . GBP/USD Technical GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2175. Above, there is resistance at 1.2251 There is support at 1.2068 and 1.2032
by OANDA
GBPUSD: Retracement, maybe reversal?Been watching this pair closely and made some good pips in the past week, however I got spooked last night and closed my sells (albeit 50 pips too early), but my calculation seemed to be broadly right. To me it's looking like a fake out below my support line and back through this resistance which is being retested but I think we're going back up. USD not flying as I think it should (and has previously) with conflict, I think we'll see some retracement in DXY which will benefit this pair, it's been too bullish for too long imho and I believe we'll see profit taking. GBP nailed on I think to raise rates again this month following the hanging of inflation data yesterday. This will benefit XXXUSD crosses in forex, commodities and indices. I'm only expecting this to retrace to the descending trendline for now which will be my TP.
Long
by Finchcliffe
GBPUSD: Bearish continuation, setting up for a nice drop?Expecting another hike from the FED in November, supported by hawkish comments across the board to focus on reducing inflation to 2%, this is supported by positive data. Real yields (bond yield - inflation) are positive for the dollar, they're negative for GBP and EUR. We may still see another hike from BoE but the economy is in a mess. Need to watch for US Inflation data and UK GDP data this week. Saw a nice bounce on this pair Friday but I think the fall will continue down to around 1.20, so waiting for a rejection from resistance on the LTF's and will then get in.
Short
by Finchcliffe
UK Inflation - worse things to come?Overview The UK's September inflation figures were released today. Inflation has not come down and continues to be high. This puts the Bank of England (BOE) in a dilemma. The Details UK YOY inflation has been released as 6.70%, the same as the previous month. Despite the BOE's rate hikes, UK inflation remains high and looks stubborn now. This could be the start of some significant economic challenges for the UK. Further rate hikes - the conventional policy is to continue to raise rates. Expect another rate hike from the BOE - possibly even rate hikes, yes, plural. The problem with this is the current rates are having a significant pinch on UK households. To raise rates further, signs the financial death warrant on many UK households. To beat inflation, the BOE may need to keep hiking rates until something breaks, i.e. the UK hits recession. Stop raising rates - this could be seen as irresponsible and letting inflation off its leash. So, continue to raise rates and break the UK economy, or hold rates and let inflation get out of control. Things to consider: This is early days. It will take some time for the above to dawn on the market. As this is early days, inflation for October may be lower, so the "panic" will be over quickly. Holding or raising rates could be bad news for GBP. It is a sell either way. Raise rates and the UK hits recession. Don't hike rates and get hit with high inflation. The latter will cause more substantial downside moves on GBP pairs.
by Samuel_Morton_Trader
GBPAUD: Breakout of support and dynamic trendlineWe've had a breakout of both support and descending dynamic trendline with no retest, which I'm expecting. I can't see us retesting the dynamic trendline so considering shorts on the LTF's when we return to the resistance (formerly support) line. Expecting Aussie strength and Pound weakness, we may go higher with the interest rate decision from the BoE this week (so if I'm in a trade I'll often pull out before the news or at least get the SL tighter as oscillation often reduces in the few hours before the news), so will be on guard for this, however I don't think we'll break back into the rising trend.
Short
by Finchcliffe
GBP/USD slips on strong US retail salesThe British pound has declined 0.56% against the US dollar on Wednesday, wiping out yesterday's gains. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2158, down 0.48%. The pound's downswing was driven by a higher-than-expected US retail sales report. Retail sales in the US surprised on the upside with a gain of 3.8% y/y in September. This beat the upwardly revised 2.9% rise in August and crushed the market estimate of 1.5%. On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.7%, compared to an upwardly revised 0.8% in August and well above the market estimate of 0.3%. Core retail sales, which exclude automobiles and gasoline, rose by 0.6% m/m, down from an upwardly revised 0.9% in August but easily beating the market estimate of 0.2%. The better-than-expected retail sales report indicates that consumer spending remains robust despite the challenging economic picture, which includes high inflation and elevated borrowing costs. Consumer spending likely accelerated in the third quarter and that will be reflected in the consumer spending component of GDP. The UK releases inflation on Wednesday. September CPI is expected to tick lower to 6.6% after a 6.7% reading in August. Inflation is at its lowest level since February 2022 but remains more than three times above the Bank of England's 2% target. The core rate, which excludes food and energy is closely monitored by the BoE, is expected to dip to 6.0%, compared to 6.2% in August. If inflation falls as expected or even further, it will provide support for the BoE to pause for a second straight time at the November 2nd meeting and the pound could react with losses. The Bank's decision to hold rates at the October meeting was a narrow 5-4 vote and Governor Bailey said yesterday that he expected upcoming rate decisions to be tight as well. GBP/USD has pushed below support at 1.2202. Below, there is support at 1.2104 There is resistance at 1.2281 and 1.2343
by fisherkj4
UK and Canadian Inflation RatesOverview UK and Canadian inflation rates will be released next week. These events could provide insight into whether the Bank of England(BOE) and the Bank of Canada(BOC) decide to raise rates further. The Details As things currently stand, the BOE will likely pause rates, and the BOC will raise rates again. This is in line with the current inflation figures. Next week's inflation figures - Tuesday 17th for Canada and Wednesday 18th for the UK - may give more precise direction to what the BOE and BOC decide what to do next: hike, cut, or pause. August's inflation figure for Canada was 4.00% and 6.70% for the UK. Things to Consider: If September's inflation figures are higher or the same as August's, this gives a greater chance of further rate hikes. Another rate hike from the BOC will likely strengthen the CAD. Another rate hike from the BOE will likely strengthen the GBP. If September's figures are lower than August's, this gives a greater chance of the central banks holding rates and lowering rates in the near future. This will weaken the CAD and GBP. Key CAD pairs could be FX:EURCAD FX:GBPCAD FX:AUDCAD Key GBP pairs could be FX:GBPAUD FX:GBPCAD FX:GBPNZD
by Samuel_Morton_Trader
Pound moves higher, BoE points to pressure on consumersThe British pound is higher on Tuesday. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2273, up 0.29%. The Bank of England's financial policy committee (FPC) voiced concern about consumer borrowing. The FPC noted that consumers were taking longer mortgages and increasing spending on credit cards in response to being squeezed by higher interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis. These practices have raised concerns about consumer debt levels. The FPC found that the UK banking system was "relatively stable". The UK economy has been sputtering, and the IMF raised its 2023 growth forecast for the UK to 0.5%, up from 0.5% in the previous forecast. However, the IMF cut the 2024 growth forecast to 0.6%, down from 1.0% previously. The IMF noted that the BoE would need to maintain elevated interest rates into 2024 due to weak growth and sticky inflation. US yields have been rising, and that could affect Fed rate policy. On Monday, Fed members Jefferson and Logan said the spike in long-term bond rates could mean less of a need for the Fed to raise rates. The reason is that borrowing had become more expensive and inflation could ease without the Fed needing to raise rates. US 10-year yield rates rose as high as 4.8% last week, a 16-year high, compared to 4.0% in July. Higher yields on Treasuries have led to an increase in other borrowing costs, including mortgages and consumer loans. This could put the Fed's hopes for a soft landing in jeopardy and are providing support for the Fed to hold rates until next year. The odds of a rate hike before the end of 2023 have dropped to 24%, compared to 39% just one week ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. 1.2179 and 1.2097 are providing support There is resistance at 1.2321 and 1.2403
by fisherkj4
EURAUD bullish on dovish RBA Bullish EUR/AUD on Dovish RBA Monetary Policy Reunion The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its latest monetary policy meeting on October 3, 2023, and decided to keep the official cash rate (OCR) at 4.10%. This was widely seen as a dovish move, as markets had been expecting a 25 basis point rate hike. The RBA's decision was likely influenced by a number of factors, including the recent slowdown in the Australian economy, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the risk of a global recession. In its statement, the RBA noted that "inflation is higher than expected in Australia and globally, and is expected to remain high for some time". However, the RBA also said that "growth in the Australian economy is expected to slow in the coming months, and the unemployment rate is expected to rise". The RBA's dovish stance is likely to be positive for the EUR/AUD currency pair. A lower OCR in Australia is likely to make the Australian dollar less attractive to investors, while a higher OCR in Europe is likely to make the euro more attractive. In addition to the RBA's monetary policy decision, there are a number of other factors that are currently supporting the EUR/AUD currency pair. These include: The ongoing war in Ukraine, which is weighing on the global economy and boosting demand for safe-haven currencies such as the euro. The risk of a global recession, which is also boosting demand for safe-haven currencies. The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to start raising interest rates in the near future, which would further support the euro. Technical Analysis From a technical perspective, the EUR/AUD currency pair is currently trading above a key trendline. This suggests that the pair is in an uptrend and is likely to continue to move higher in the near future. The next key target for the EUR/AUD currency pair is the 1.70 level. If the pair can break above this level, it could then move towards the 1.75 level. Conclusion The EUR/AUD currency pair is currently in a bullish trend and is likely to continue to move higher in the near future. This is supported by the RBA's dovish monetary policy stance, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the risk of a global recession, and the ECB's hawkish stance. From a technical perspective, the EUR/AUD currency pair is currently trading above a key trendline. The next key target for the pair is the 1.70 level. If the pair can break above this level, it could then move towards the 1.75 level. Trade Idea Buy EUR/AUD above 1.66 with a target of 1.70 and a stop loss below 1.6356. Risk Warning Trading foreign exchange (forex) is a risky activity and can result in substantial losses. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved before trading forex.
Long
by masterclass618
1
GBP/USD extends losses on mixed UK dataThe British pound is in negative territory after two days of losses. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2245, down 0.40%. The struggling pound is down 1.1% this week and is trading at its lowest levels since late March. It is a busy day on the data calendar for UK releases. Retail sales rose in August by 0.4% m/m, following a 1.1% decline in July and was just shy of the market consensus of 0.5%. The sharp decline in July was largely due to unusually wet weather. On an annual basis, retail sales fell by 1.4%, compared to -3.1% in July. Consumer spending has been in a nasty rut, as annualized retail sales have now declined for 17 straight months. The silver lining was that the -1.4% drop marked the slowest pace of contraction in the current streak. The September PMIs were a mixed bag. The Services PMI slowed to 47.2 in September, down from 49.5 in August and missing the consensus estimate of 49.2. This marked a second straight deceleration and the sharpest contraction since January 2021. The Manufacturing PMI increased to 44.2 in September, up from 43.0 in August and above the consensus estimate of 43.0. The decline in activity in both services and manufacturing points to a UK economy that continues to cool. The Bank of England, which held interest rates on Thursday, will be hoping that the slowdown translates into lower inflation and that it can continue to hold interest rates. UK consumer confidence remains low, but there was a bit of an improvement in September. The GfK consumer confidence index rose to -21, up from -25 in August and beating the consensus estimate of -27. This was the highest reading since January 2022, but the economy has a long way to go before consumers show optimism about the economic outlook. GBP/USD is testing support at 1.2267. The next support level is 1.2156 There is resistance at 1.2325 and 1.2436
by OANDA
1
Understanding Interest-rates & InflationHey Traders So, I have been asked by many of my clients to explain the relationship between interest-rates and inflation and how to translate that information into their analysis. For this reason I put this little mini lesson together to explain: - The core role of the central bank - Reason and objectives for interest-rates and inflation - How you can use this information to enhance your analysis - How to take advantage of this info when taking, managing or closing your trades. PS. if you would like me to do more of these types of videos be sure to leave a comment in the comment section.
TVC:DXYEducation
by DeanMuller
British pound loses ground after mixed jobs reportThe British pound is in negative territory on Tuesday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2470, down 0.31%. Will the real UK labour market please stand up? The UK labour market is showing signs of weakening, while at the same time wage growth grew at a record pace, according to today's employment release. The economy shed 207,000 jobs in the three months to July, compared to a 66,000 fall a month earlier and weaker than the consensus estimate of -185,000. This was the sharpest loss of jobs since September 2020. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% up from 4.2% and matching the consensus. The data is a clear sign that the labour market is cooling, but wage growth excluding bonuses rose 7.8%, unchanged from a month earlier and the highest on record. Wages are growing faster than consumer inflation, which rose 6.8% in July. The sharp rise in wage growth will provide support for the hawks who favour pushing rates higher in order to curb inflation. The Bank of England has been non-committal about next week's meeting, although Governor Bailey said last week that the BoE was "much nearer" to ending the current tightening cycle. That may indeed be the case, but the markets have priced in a rate hike at the September 21st meeting at close to 80%. Investor focus will now shift to UK GDP which will be released on Wednesday. After a respectable gain in June of 0.5%, the markets are bracing for a decline of -0.2% in July. A contraction in growth could extend the pound's losses. GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2471. Above, there is resistance at 1.2519 There is support at 1.2395 and 1.2322
by OANDA
1
British Pound supported at $1.25? British Pound supported at $1.25? The US dollar index is poised to reach a new multi-month peak. Contributing to DXY’s rise the most is the GBP/USD, with the pound losing 0.45% against the USD due to recent comments from the Bank of England’s governor. On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Bailey spoke in front the Treasury select committee, saying " I think we are much nearer now to the top of the (tightening) cycle. And I'm not therefore saying we're at the top of the cycle because we've got a meeting to come”. In case you forgot, the Bank of England has implemented rate hikes in its previous 14 meetings, and it is expected to increase borrowing costs once more later this month, pushing the rate to 5.5%. The above remarks were tempered by comments that suggest that rates will be higher for shorter than expected, saying “(we) are signaling that the fall in inflation will continue and - as I've said a number of times - I think will be quite marked.” It is this later comment that might be the cause for the British pound dipping beneath the crucial $1.25 level, marking its lowest value since early June. There might be support at this level though, as the bearish bias becomes potentially overextended.
by BlackBull_Markets
GBP/USD pares losses after soft PMIsThe British pound has edged lower on Wednesday. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2720, down 0.09%. The UK economy continues to cool down, and today's PMI readings showed deceleration in both the manufacturing and services sectors. The Manufacturing PMI eased to 42.5 in August, down from 45.3 and below the consensus estimate of 42.5. The Services PMI disappointed and fell into contraction territory, with a reading of 48.7. This was lower than the July reading of 51.5 and missed the estimate of 50.8. GBP/USD fell over 100 basis points earlier but has recovered these losses. The weak data might not be such bad news as far as the Bank of England is concerned. The battle to curb inflation has not gone all that well, as the UK has the dubious honour of having the highest inflation among G-7 countries. If weakness in the manufacturing and services sectors dampens hiring and weighs on the tight labour markets, inflationary pressures could ease. The Bank of England meets in September and the markets have fully priced in a rate hike, but it's unclear what will happen after that, with the markets pricing in one more hike before the end of the year. The BoE's rate path after September will depend heavily on upcoming inflation and employment reports. It has been a light week on the data calendar and investors will be hoping for some interesting comments at the Jackson Hole Symposium which begins on Thursday. The Fed and other major central banks are expected to wind up their rate-tightening cycles and Jackson Hole has often served as a venue for announcing shifts in policy. Fed Chair Powell has insisted that the fight against inflation is not done, with inflation still above the 2% target. There is talk in the markets of the Fed trimming rates next year, but I would be surprised if Powell mentions rate cuts in his speech on Friday. GBP/USD pushed below support at 1.2714 and 1.2641 before rebounding higher There is resistance at 1.2812 and 1.2885
by OANDA
GBP/USD pushes higher as inflation drops to 6.8%The British pound has posted considerable gains on Wednesday. In the North session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2754, up 0.39%. The UK released the July inflation report today and the readings were a mixed bag. Headline CPI dropped to 6.8% y/y, a sharp drop from the 7.9% gain in June and matching the consensus estimate. The decline was certainly welcome news but the driver of the downswing was a sharp drop in fuel prices. Core CPI, which excludes energy and food, remained unchanged in July at 6.9% and above the estimate of 6.8%. The core rate rose 0.3% m/m in July, up slightly from the July reading of 0.2%, which was also the estimate. There was some good news in the inflation report as headline CPI declined by 0.4% m/m in July, compared to +0.1% in June and very close to the consensus estimate of -0.5%. Still, the fact that core CPI remains elevated and sticky provides support for the hawks at the Bank of England who believe that rates must rise further in order to curb inflation. The inflation report comes on the heels of a soft UK employment report on Tuesday. The data revealed that the tight labour market is finally cooling, which would ordinarily be positive news for the Bank of England. The one glaring exception to the soft numbers was wage growth, which jumped to a record 7.8%, up from 7.5% and above the consensus estimate of 7.3%. The increase in wage growth is indicative of a wage-price spiral which will hamper the BoE's efforts to curb inflation. The US released a robust retail sales report on Tuesday, giving a boost to the US dollar as speculation rises that the Fed may not be done with the current rate-tightening cycle. Headline retail sales rose 0.7% m/m in July, but core retail sales stole the show with a massive 1% gain up from an upwardly revised 0.4% in June. Consumer spending is picking up, which could complicate the Fed's plan to ease up on rates and guide the economy to a soft landing. GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2726. The next resistance line is 1.2787  1.2634 and 1.2573 are providing support
Long
by OANDA
GBP/USD shrugs off mixed employment reportThe British pound has edged higher on Tuesday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2697, up 0.08%. Investors were treated to a mixed UK employment report today. The labour market, which has been surprisingly resilient in the face of the Bank of England's tightening, is showing unmistakable signs of cooling. Employment fell by 66,000 in the three months to June, a huge reversal from the 102,000 gain in the previous period. The consensus estimate stood at 75,000. Notably, this was the first decline in job growth since August 2022. The unemployment rate rose from 4.0% to 4.2%, above the estimate of 4.0%, and unemployment claims rose to 29,000, up from 16,200 and above the estimate of -7,300. The one exception to the soft jobs report, but a critical one, was wage growth. Average earnings excluding bonuses rose 7.8% y/y in the three months to June, up from 7.5% and above the estimate of 7.3%. This was the highest level since records began in 2001. Average earnings including bonuses jumped 8.2%, compared to an upwardly revised 7.2% previously and above the estimate of 7.3%. The jump in wage growth will be unwelcome news for the Bank of England, as it indicates that the dreaded wage-price spiral continues to feed inflation. Higher wages are a key driver of inflation, and the BoE has warned that if wage growth doesn't ease, it will be forced to raise rates even higher. This could mean that the weak UK economy will tip into a recession, but the BoE considers that the lesser evil compared to high inflation. The BoE meets on September 21st and I do not envy Governor Bailey, who may have to cause more financial pain and raise rates. The UK releases the July inflation report on Wednesday, with CPI expected to fall to 6.7%, down from 7.9%. That would be a significant decline but it would still leave inflation more than triple the BoE's target of 2%. The BoE and investors will be glued to the inflation report and I expect the British pound to have a busier day. GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2726. The next resistance line is 1.2787  1.2634 and 1.2573 are providing support
Long
by OANDA
The Bank of England's DilemmaOf the three central banks that I primarily trade, the Bank of England (BOE) has the biggest puzzle. Today's data was the worst possible for Governor Bailey and his team. Specifically, employment fell by 66,000 and the unemployment rate ticked higher by 0.2% for the second month in a row to 4.2% (the Federal Reserve would be delighted with this turn of events). On the other hand, wages continue to rise in the UK, with the ONS noting that June recorded the highest annual wage growth rate since comparable records began in 2001. In addition, we are now seeing real wages/earnings move back into positive territory for the first time since the end of 2021. The nightmare of central bankers is coming true. What does this mean? It just raises further concerns that the squeeze on the economy is starting to translate to the labor market. And in that lieu, it could lead to a sharper downturn in the quarters to come. This only validates further concerns that the UK could be facing the risks of stagflation, which is certainly not something that the BOE would like to see. Add in higher financing costs and tighter credit conditions alongside the cost of living crisis, and that's not quite the recipe for the pound to be optimistic in the bigger picture. The data is one side of the coin, but the other, more important side, is the chart, as everything is drawn on it. The area described in the previous analysis has so far prevented bears from another charge. The key level for supply is currently 1.2819 . It should be maintained if the falls are to pick up pace. It is also worth paying attention to whether the supply will remain in the downward channel (red lines). We still have important US data today, namely retail sales, which will tell us how strong the American consumer is - this may have a significant impact on GBP/USD prices.
by FinancialMindd