GBP/USD trades below 1.3250 after retreating from six-month highs
- GBP/USD pulls back from a six-month high of 1.3292 reached on Wednesday.
- The US Dollar received support from stronger-than-expected consumer spending in March.
- The Pound Sterling depreciated following softer-than-expected UK CPI data for March.
GBP/USD snaps its seven-day winning streak, easing to around 1.3230 during Thursday’s Asian session after retreating from a six-month high of 1.3292 reached on Wednesday. Traders now await key US data releases later in the day, including Building Permits, Housing Starts, the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, and weekly Initial Jobless Claims.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading higher near 99.60 at the time of writing, supported by stronger-than-expected consumer spending in March. US Retail Sales rose 1.4% in March, exceeding both February’s 0.2% gain and the forecast of 1.3%.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is under pressure following softer-than-expected UK CPI data for March. Headline inflation rose 2.6% year-over-year, below the expected 2.7% and February’s 2.8%. Core CPI, which excludes food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco, rose 3.4%—in line with forecasts but slightly down from 3.5% previously. Monthly headline CPI increased by 0.3%, missing estimates and the prior 0.4% reading.
Notably, services inflation—a key metric for the Bank of England (BoE)—eased to 4.7% from 5.0%, strengthening expectations of a potential rate cut at the BoE’s May policy meeting. Additionally, the deteriorating UK labor market outlook, compounded by the recent hike in employers’ national insurance contributions effective this month, could further push BoE policymakers toward monetary easing.
Pound Sterling FAQs
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).
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.
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.
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.