empty
12.06.2023 12:09 PM
GBP/USD turns bullish on positive UK economy, repo rate outlook

The British pound is effectively leveraging its advantages. The UK economy is likely to avoid a recession, which distinguishes the sterling from the euro. Looking at a strong labor market and rapid wage growth, the Bank of England will continue to raise the repo rate above 5%. The divergence in monetary policy with the Federal Reserve (Fed) contributes to a rally in GBP/USD. The pair has reached monthly highs, which, amid the calmness of the Forex market before the storm, indicates serious bullish intentions.

The Confederation of British Industry has raised its UK GDP forecast from -0.4% to +0.4% in 2023 and from +1.6% to +1.8% in 2024. The main reasons cited are the recovery of the Chinese economy after COVID-19-related restrictions and the easing of disruptions in global supply chains. According to Bloomberg experts, the British economy is expected to expand by 0.3% in April after contracting by 0.3% in March, essentially signaling stagnation. However, the fact that a recession will be avoided provides support for GBP/USD.

Expectations of an acceleration in average wages from 5.8% to 6.1% over three months through April are driving the pound upward. These expectations are related to a 9.7% increase in the minimum wage in mid-spring, which has benefited around 1.6 million people in the UK. The strength of the labor market is a strong argument for raising the repo rate above 5%, contributing to a rally in UK bond yields and GBP/USD quotes.

Dynamics of British bond yields

This image is no longer relevant

Thus, the sterling is playing its own cards, taking advantage of the consolidation of the U.S. dollar ahead of important releases of U.S. inflation data for May and the Fed's meetings. Bloomberg experts predict a slowdown in consumer prices from 4.9% to 4.1%. However, this should not be misleading. Core inflation will decrease from 5.5% to 5.2% but will remain elevated. Monthly CPI will accelerate to 0.4%.

As for the Federal Reserve's meeting, the futures market expects the rate to be maintained at 5.25% in June, with a subsequent increase to 5.5% in July. It is likely that Jerome Powell will adopt a hawkish rhetoric during his press conference, and the FOMC's rate forecasts will be raised. In theory, this should lead to an increase in Treasury bond yields and a strengthening of the U.S. dollar. However, any surprises are possible.

This image is no longer relevant

In my opinion, the persistence of high U.S. inflation combined with signals from the Fed about further rate hikes will limit the potential for a GBP/USD rally.

Technically, on the daily chart, the bulls intend to restore the upward trend. The presence of quotes above dynamic support in the form of moving averages indicates that buyers are in control of the market. However, the inability of GBP/USD to break above the 1.2645 pivot level or a drop below the support at 1.2565 will indicate weakness in the bulls and provide a basis for forming short positions.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Bitcoin caught in bull trap

The bottom shows no strength, the top has no desire. Even the so-called "smart money" is not rushing to buy Bitcoin, citing a confluence of negative factors. Tepid trading activity

Marek Petkovich 15:58 2025-04-01 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the USD/JPY pair is struggling to benefit from a slight intraday upward movement, especially amid expectations that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates at a faster pace

Irina Yanina 11:37 2025-04-01 UTC+2

US stock market: bad news fully priced in

The S&P 500 had its worst quarter in three years. Investors are shifting capital from North America to Europe. Once-booming US tech stocks have collapsed. Major banks and respected institutions

Marek Petkovich 09:13 2025-04-01 UTC+2

April to play crucial role in Europe's gas future

Europe's gas sector is entering a critical phase, as the end of the heating season sets the stage for refilling storage facilities, which are now two-thirds empty after the winter

Miroslaw Bawulski 13:01 2025-03-31 UTC+2

WTI – West Texas Intermediate. Prices Lack Support for Growth

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices are attempting to attract buyers, but the market remains in a state of uncertainty. Concerns over President Trump's aggressive trade tariffs are putting

Irina Yanina 12:39 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

At the start of the new week during the Asian session, the EUR/USD pair attempted to attract buyers, but this was unsuccessful. The euro received support from easing concerns about

Irina Yanina 12:35 2025-03-31 UTC+2

US stock market runs into trouble

Rumors about mutual tariffs and another blow to consumer confidence triggered the second-worst sell-off of the S&P 500 this year. Investors are still holding piles of US stocks

Marek Petkovich 10:58 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Hello, April: Eurozone Inflation Report, ISM Indices, and Nonfarm Payrolls

The first week of every month is the most informative for EUR/USD traders. The economic calendar traditionally includes a report on inflation growth in the eurozone, American ISM indices

Irina Manzenko 06:28 2025-03-31 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 31: Nonfarm Payrolls, Trump, and Unemployment May Create New Problems for the Dollar

The GBP/USD currency pair continued to trade sideways near its highs on Friday. This sideways movement has persisted for several weeks, and the British pound has not managed even

Paolo Greco 06:24 2025-03-31 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 31: A New Week of Trials for the Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair rose again on Friday. As we can see, the correction against the upward trend of recent weeks ended very quickly. But that's no surprise, given that

Paolo Greco 06:24 2025-03-31 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.