Source: Euronews

Source: Bloomberg

The Pound Sterling (GBP) moves higher against its major peers on Monday as investors largely ignore a mild increase in Bank of England’s (BoE) dovish bets for the next year. Traders see a 53-basis points (bps) reduction in interest rates in 2025, up from 46 bps after the BoE policy announcement on Thursday.

BoE dovish bets accelerated after three out of nine Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members proposed reducing interest rates by 25 bps, more than the one projected by market participants. Investors considered the 6-3 vote split as a dovish buildup for the next year, which weighed heavily on the Pound Sterling. 

Market expectations for 53 bps reduction in interest rates in 2025 suggest that there will be at least two 25-basis-points rate cuts. Still, speculation for the number of interest rate cuts by the UK central bank is similar to that of the Federal Reserve (Fed) and fewer than those expected from the European Central Bank (ECB), making the Pound Sterling an attractive bet in the broader term.

On the contrary, analysts at Deutsche Bank expect the BoE to announce four interest-rate cuts next year, one coming in the first half and the rest in the second half.

Meanwhile, data released on Monday downwardly revised the UK growth rate for the third quarter of the year, raising concerns over the United Kingdom’s (UK) economic outlook. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the economy remained stagnant in the third quarter, against the 0.4% growth in the April-June period and less than the 0.1% expansion previously estimated. 

Daily digest market movers: Pound Sterling trades higher 

The Pound Sterling consolidates around 1.2580 against the US Dollar (USD) in Monday’s London session. The GBP/USD pair ticks slightly up even as the US Dollar rebounds slightly. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, recovers to near 108.00.

The Greenback discovers buyer’s interest as its broader outlook is upbeat amid firm expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will follow a moderate policy-easing approach next year. In the latest dot plot, the Fed signaled only two interest rate cuts in 2025 against the four cuts projected in September. For January’s policy meeting, traders are pricing in that the central bank will leave interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25%-4.50%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

The latest commentaries by Fed officials have shown that stubborn inflation, better labor market conditions than previously anticipated, and uncertainty over the impact of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming policies on the economy forced them to guide fewer interest rate cuts for 2025.

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, the only official who dissented against the rate-cut decision in the policy meeting on Wednesday, said on Friday: “I prefer to hold policy steady until we see further evidence that inflation is resuming its path to our 2% objective.”

This week, thin trading volume due to holidays in Forex markets on Wednesday and Thursday on account of Christmas Day and Boxing Day, respectively, could keep the pair’s price action more muted.

On the economic front, investors will focus on the United States (US) Durable Goods Orders data for November, which will be released on Tuesday. Orders are estimated to have declined by 0.4% after expanding by 0.3% in October.

Technical Analysis: Pound Sterling consolidates but death cross shows bearish bias

The Pound Sterling broadly consolidates against the US Dollar after a decisive break below the upward-sloping trendline around 1.2600, which is plotted from the October 2023 low of 1.2035.

A death cross, represented by the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) near 1.2790, suggests a strong bearish trend in the long run.

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) rebounds above 40.00. A fresh downside momentum could trigger if the oscillator fails to sustain above that level.

Looking down, the pair is expected to find a cushion near the April 22 low around 1.2300. On the upside, the December 17 high at 1.2730 will act as key resistance.

Pound Sterling FAQs

What is the Pound Sterling?

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).

How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling?

The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.

How does economic data influence the value of the Pound?

Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound?

Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.

Source: FXSTREET

Last week was chaotic. The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) hawkish 25bp cut, the hint from the dot plot that there would be only two rate cuts next year instead of four – because the US economy is too strong to continue the cuts as previously predicted – and the US debt limit shenanigans even before Trump took office gave a negative jolt to the US stock markets. But happily, things got better from Friday on as a set of US PCE data came in softer than expected, and got some investors hoping that maybe – but just maybe – the Fed’s got too hawkish on inflation. Second, the US averted a government shutdown and politicians disregarded Trump / Musk’s demand for suspending the debt limit. The US government will continue to run until mid March, then we will see what happens to that debt limit under the Trump administration. My best guess is that the US will regularly continue to push the debt limit higher – or Trump will scrap something that didn’t make sense anyway. In practice, nothing will change. The US debt will continue to grow, and as per inflation, I think that those who got their hopes up with one set of inflation data will be disappointed.

As a result, the US yields should continue to push higher regardless of how dovish the Fed tries to be. Note that the US 10-year yield advanced up to 100bp since the Fed started cutting the interest rates – and cut 100bp in three meetings. At least half of the cuts were unnecessary, and that’s why, not only did yields continue climbing as the Fed cut rates, but the possibility of a further rise in the 10-year yield toward 5% remains on the table—and that’s not necessarily good news for risk assets.

But anyway, Friday’s session saw a certain relief – at least in the US – because the mood in Europe was not great at all after Novo Nordisk slumped more than 20% at the open as their latest weight loss drug made patients lose less weight than the company had predicted. But across the Atlantic, the S&P500 rebounded more than 1% on Friday, while Nasdaq added 0.85%. The US yields were little changed but the US dollar retreated from more than 2-year highs.

In the absence of major economic data, this Xmas-shortened week could see a further rebound in the US equities – no one wants to miss the Santa rally – and a further retreat in the US dollar in favour of its major counterparts. Yet, beyond tactical trades based on last week’s softer-than-expected PCE measures, the story remains unchanged. The core PCE in the US has been moving up since the summer dip and settled at 2.8% for the second consecutive month, and – I can never repeat this enough but – Trump’s pro-growth policies, tariffs, mass deportations hint that the US inflation risks are tilted toward the upside.

As such, the US Dollar pullbacks could be interesting opportunities to buy the dips. The EURUSD could see resistance between 1.05/1.0545 area – a psychological level and the minor 23.6% Fibonacci retracement on September to December rally. Cable should see limited upside potential within 1.27/1.2720 area. The USDJPY’s way is cleared for a further advance to 160, until the yen bears get scared that the Japanese authorities will intervene directly in the FX markets to stop bleeding. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will unlikely to make any changes to their policy until March, April next year. This is when the policymakers think that they will have a clearer view on the potential and the impact of Trump’s international policies. In Canada, the Loonie takes a breather on the back of a broadly softer US dollar but the political shenanigans keep the risks tilted toward the upside in the USDCAD as calls for Trudeau to step down are mounting. And finally, the AUDUSD forms support near the 62 cents level. The pair is oversold, but buying the Aussie looks similar to try to catch a falling knife since September.

In commodities, US crude is better bid above the 50-DMA – few cents below the $70pb level – but without a strong conviction to extend this rebound, the price rallies will likely see resistance into the 100-DMA – near $71.40pb and declining – and into $72.85pb, the major 38.2% Fibonacci retracement on late summer slump that should distinguish between the negative trend since then, and a medium term bullish reversal. The ongoing narrative of weak – and weakening – global demand and ample global supply should maintain oil prices in the bearish consolidation zone for now, with however a limited downside potential near the $67pb level.

In precious metals, gold is better bid this morning. Lately, the yellow metal has been pressured by the rising US yields that increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-interest-bearing gold – but an accelerated selloff in global equities could drive capital into the safe-haven metal regardless of the upswing in yields.

The Silver price (XAG/USD) extends the recovery to near $29.60 during the early Asian session on Monday, bolstered by the softer-than-expected US November Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index inflation data. However, the upside of the white metal might be limited amid the cautious approach to monetary easing next year from the Federal Reserve (Fed). 

According to the daily chart, the bearish outlook of the Silver price remains in play as the price holds below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Additionally, the downward momentum is reinforced by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stands below the midline around 39.20, suggesting that further downside cannot be ruled out. 

The potential support level for XAG/USD emerges in the $29.10-$29.00 zone, representing the lower limit of the Bollinger Band and psychological level. A breach of this level could expose $27.70, the low of September 9. The additional downside filter to watch is $26.45, the low of August 8. 

On the upside, the crucial upside barrier for the precious metal is seen at the $30.00 level. Sustained trading above the mentioned level could pave the way to $30.60, the 100-day EMA. Further north, the next hurdle is located at $32.17, the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band. 

Source: FXSTREET

The graphic is a grid of line charts depicting the performance of several assets in 2024, and 10-year treasury yield in 2024.

The line charts show China's retail sales, industrial output, new house prices and urban unemployment from November 2023 to November 2024.

Annual change in Japan's 10-year government bond yield, in basis points (bps)

Graphic shows most distressed EM bonds in USD have outperformed the EMBIGD index

Source: Reuters