British Pound Sterling (GBP): A History and Trading OverviewBritish Pound Sterling (GBP): A History and Trading Overview
The British pound, one of the oldest and most traded currencies, holds a central role in the global forex market. Known for its volatility and economic significance, the pound presents unique opportunities and challenges for traders. This article explores British money’s history, key factors driving its value, major trading pairs, and insights into how it’s traded.
Origins and Historical Evolution of British Pound Sterling
The British Pound Sterling, represented by the pound symbol £ and known by the British pound abbreviation GBP, has a rich history stretching back over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously used currencies. Its origins trace to the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 8th century, when it was first introduced as a silver-based currency.
Back then, one pound of sterling silver could be divided into 240 silver pennies—a substantial amount. The currency evolved as England developed its economy and trading networks, solidifying the pound’s status as a cornerstone of UK money and commerce across Europe.
During the late 17th century, the establishment of the Bank of England in 1694 marked a turning point, allowing the British government to issue notes and coins on a larger scale. Later, the central bank adopted the gold standard in the 19th century and pegged the pound’s value to gold, enhancing its stability and appeal. However, the turbulent economic climate following World War I and the Great Depression led to abandoning the gold standard, allowing the pound to float in value—a status it maintains today.
Why Is a Pound Called Sterling?
The term “sterling” is linked to the British currency’s origins as high-quality silver coins. Medieval England’s silver coins, made primarily from “sterling” silver, had a reputation for purity and reliability, giving rise to the enduring name “Pound Sterling.” This name reflects the currency's legacy as a reliable and trusted medium of exchange.
Is a Quid the Same as Pounds?
Yes, a pound vs quid refers to the same unit of currency. In the UK, British “quid” is just informal slang for one pound. Similar to how Americans might say “buck” for a dollar, “quid” is used informally across the UK. Whether referring to the British pound sign £1 or a larger amount, there is no difference between “quid” and “pound” in everyday conversation, although “quid” isn’t an official term and doesn’t appear on banknotes or coins.
In comparing a quid vs pound vs pence, quid and pound refer to the same unit of currency: one pound. In contrast, a pence is worth 1/100th of a pound. 100 pence make up a pound, akin to how 100 cents make up a dollar.
The British Pound in the 20th Century
In the 20th century, the pound faced dramatic shifts as Britain navigated global economic challenges and geopolitical shifts. After World War I, Britain tried to reinstate the gold standard in 1925, hoping it would bring stability. However the post-war economy was fragile, and by 1931, the gold standard was abandoned permanently, allowing the pound to fluctuate with market conditions. This move was crucial—it marked the pound’s transition to a free-floating currency, where its value was driven by demand and supply rather than a fixed link to gold.
World War II and its aftermath further tested the pound’s resilience. Britain’s economy suffered significant losses, and by 1949, the government was forced to devalue the pound by about 30% against the dollar to support post-war recovery efforts. The pound experienced another major drop in 1967, as Britain faced growing debt and economic pressure.
Fast forward to 1992, and the pound’s status faced another test during the “Black Wednesday” crisis. Britain’s attempt to keep the pound within the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) led to massive currency speculation. As traders shorted the GBP, meaning they expected it to lose value, the government struggled, ultimately withdrawing from the ERM—a pivotal decision that set the pound free from strict European exchange constraints.
Factors Driving the British Pound
Several key factors influence the value of the UK’s currency, from economic indicators to political events, making it a responsive currency in the forex market.
Interest Rates and Monetary Policy
The British pound’s value is heavily influenced by the Bank of England (BoE) and its monetary policies. The BoE’s primary tool for managing the pound is its interest rate policy. When the BoE raises rates, it often strengthens the pound by attracting investors seeking higher returns on UK assets. Conversely, lowering rates can weaken the pound, as it reduces the currency's appeal.
The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee meets regularly to assess economic conditions and decide on potential adjustments. Statements from these meetings can create significant market reactions, as traders interpret them for clues on future policies. In addition to interest rates, the BoE may also implement quantitative easing (QE) during economic downturns, increasing the money supply to stimulate growth. While the QE can help the economy, it often weakens the pound due to an increase in supply.
The actions of other central banks also impact the pound’s value relative to another currency. For instance, if the Fed raises rates while the BoE keeps theirs unchanged, the dollar could strengthen against the pound.
Major Economic Indicators and Events
The British pound’s value is highly responsive to a range of economic indicators and events, as these reflect the health of the UK economy and inform expectations for future growth.
GDP Growth
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures are a crucial indicator for the pound. Solid GDP growth indicates a strong economy, which often strengthens the currency. Conversely, sluggish growth or contraction signals economic trouble, which can weaken the pound. Traders closely watch quarterly GDP releases as they give direct insight into the UK’s economic performance.
Inflation Rates
Inflation is a key driver for the pound due to its direct link with interest rates. The Bank of England targets a 2% inflation rate, and if inflation rises significantly above this level, the BoE may respond by raising rates, which tends to strengthen the pound. Low or declining inflation can have the opposite effect, reducing the likelihood of rate hikes and putting pressure on the currency.
Employment Data
Employment reports, especially the monthly unemployment rate and wage growth data, offer a snapshot of the labour market’s health. A low unemployment rate and rising wages indicate economic strength, typically supporting the pound. Weak employment data, on the other hand, can signal economic challenges, potentially leading to a weaker currency.
Global Risk Sentiment
The British pound has a complex relationship with global risk sentiment, sometimes acting as a “risk barometer” for the UK and global markets. Unlike so-called traditional safe-haven currencies like the US dollar or Japanese yen, the pound doesn’t have a role as a refuge during periods of market stress.
During times of global uncertainty, the pound can weaken as investors move funds into potentially safer assets. For example, during major economic downturns or political crises, traders might sell off the pound in favour of currencies like the dollar or yen, which are seen as more resilient. This behaviour stems from the pound’s relatively high volatility.
On the other hand, in periods of optimism or risk-on sentiment, the pound can attract investment, especially if the UK economy is performing well. The currency benefits from the UK’s open financial market, which can draw in foreign capital when investors feel confident about economic growth.
Political Events
The pound is highly sensitive to domestic political developments like any other currency. Events like general elections, referendums, and policy decisions usually cause swift price movements. For example, Brexit created significant uncertainty, leading to heightened pound volatility. Political stability, or lack thereof, affects investor confidence, influencing the pound's value in response to perceived risks or opportunities.
Trade Relationships
The UK's trade balance, particularly with key partners like the EU and the US, also impacts the pound. A positive trade balance (more exports than imports) often supports the currency, while a deficit can put downward pressure on it, as more pounds are exchanged for foreign currency to pay for imports.
Trading the British Pound
Trading the British pound offers opportunities for those interested in both major and cross-currency pairs. Its reputation for volatility and responsiveness to economic data makes it an appealing choice for various trading strategies.
What Is the Best Pair to Trade With GBP?
Traders can trade the pound through several pairs, each offering unique characteristics. GBP/USD is the most popular, providing high liquidity and frequent price movement. This pair is particularly attractive for traders who closely follow UK and US economic indicators, as these two economies often drive its volatility.
GBP/JPY is another popular choice for those seeking higher volatility, as it tends to have larger price swings due to the yen’s so-called safe-haven status. Additionally, EUR/GBP is favoured by those interested in the close economic ties between the UK and the Eurozone, often providing interesting trends influenced by regional economic policies.
Technical Analysis
GBP pairs are well-suited to technical analysis, with traders commonly using tools like support and resistance levels, trendlines, and moving averages. Patterns such as double tops and bottoms are frequently observed, and indicators like the MACD and RSI can help identify potential entry points based on overbought or oversold conditions. GBP’s volatility makes it ideal for momentum-based strategies, where traders look for strong price movements to capture gains.
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis is essential when trading the pound, given its sensitivity to UK economic data and Bank of England (BoE) monetary policy. Traders often monitor GDP growth, inflation, employment figures, and BoE’s interest rate decisions, as these have immediate effects on pound valuation. Additionally, political events such as elections or Brexit-related developments can create rapid shifts, making it crucial to stay informed about current affairs that could impact the currency.
Risk Management
Given the pound’s volatility, effective risk management is vital. Traders may potentially enhance their strategies by setting appropriate stop-loss levels and position sizing to account for the currency’s larger price swings. Observing correlations with other currencies, like EUR/USD, can also help manage exposure and offer additional insights when the pound exhibits similar or diverging trends.
GBP/USD Pair Characteristics
So what is GBP known for today? In the modern age, the pound is easily recognised by the pound’s sign (£) and remains one of the most traded currencies worldwide, particularly in pairs like GBP/USD, known as “Cable.” This pair represents the exchange rate between the British pound and the US dollar, capturing the relationship between two of the world’s largest economies.
Liquidity and Volatility
GBP/USD is known for high liquidity, especially during London and New York trading hours when the UK and US markets overlap. This liquidity attracts significant trading volume, leading to relatively tight spreads, especially during peak trading times. However, GBP/USD is also notably volatile, meaning it can experience sharp movements over short periods. This volatility is often driven by economic releases, political events, and market sentiment.
Role in Forex Market
As one of the major currency pairs, GBP/USD is a cornerstone of forex trading. It represents around 9% of total daily forex turnover. Traders follow it closely due to its sensitivity to key economic indicators, interest rate decisions, and policy changes from the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve. GBP/USD's unique position as both a "major" and an often volatile pair allows it to reflect broader market trends and risk sentiment effectively.
Which Pair Correlates With GBP/USD?
The GBP/USD pair frequently shows a correlation with other major pairs, particularly EUR/USD. This is largely due to their shared link to the US dollar. When EUR/USD experiences a strong trend, GBP/USD may often follow suit, although the unique economic factors affecting the UK and Eurozone can cause deviations in their movements.
Additionally, USD/CHF often shows an inverse correlation with GBP/USD, as the Swiss franc serves as a so-called safe-haven currency (more so than the US dollar), moving oppositely in risk-off markets.
To explore these correlations, head over to FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform to get started with real-time forex charts.
The Bottom Line
The British pound remains a dynamic and influential currency in forex markets, offering ample opportunities for traders at all levels. Its rich history, market responsiveness, and diverse trading pairs make it an essential choice for those looking to engage in global currency trading. To start trading the pound and other pairs with it, open an FXOpen account and take advantage of four advanced trading platforms, low costs, and fast execution speeds.
FAQ
What Is GBP Currency?
GBP is the abbreviation for the British pound, the official currency of the United Kingdom. Often referred to as “British pound sterling,” it’s one of the oldest and most traded currencies globally, denoted by the pound symbol, £.
Is GBP Getting Stronger Against the Euro?
The pound’s strength against the euro fluctuates based on economic conditions in the UK and Eurozone. As of late 2024, the pound has been getting stronger against the euro recently due to a less restrictive monetary policy stance from the European Central Bank.
What Country Has the Oldest Currency?
The UK has the world’s oldest currency still in use. The pound sterling dates back over a thousand years, tracing its origins to the Anglo-Saxon period.
When to Trade GBP Pairs?
GBP pairs are most active during the London trading session, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. GMT. Volatility can increase when UK or US economic data is released.
Which GBP Pair Is Most Volatile?
GBP/JPY is typically the most volatile GBP pair, due to the yen’s role as a so-called safe-haven currency. It can experience larger price fluctuations compared to other GBP pairs.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice
