empty
12.02.2024 12:03 AM
What to expect for the British pound next week?

This image is no longer relevant

Traditionally, there will be fewer events in the UK, but at least we can look forward to important ones. The British pound continues to stand firm against the US dollar, as market expectations regarding the monetary policy of the Bank of England remain the same. Market participants do not expect a rate cut in the coming months, unlike the scenarios for the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve. While the euro and the dollar have their own dynamics, the British pound, despite its wave pattern, continues to hold its ground. More precisely, it continues to stay in one place.

In such a situation, I would say that news almost has no practical significance. How many important events have occurred in the last two months while the GBP/USD instrument remained in a sideways trend? Clearly, there have been many, but each time, the market refused to break out of the range. So what has changed now? GBP/USD has finally breached the important level of 1.2627, but the British pound, in the four days following the breakthrough, showed no interest in declining. What are the chances that even after significant events, the market will return to selling? In my opinion, they are not high.

This image is no longer relevant

BoE Governor Andrew Bailey will start the week by delivering a speech. I don't think Bailey will change his rhetoric with every speech, but still, if we can't expect important information from the head of the BoE, then from whom? On Tuesday, reports on unemployment and wages will be released, which may surprise market participants but these reports are unlikely to change the current sentiment to a bearish one.

However, on Wednesday, an important inflation report could significantly impact the pound's current resilience. Inflation for January may just increase to 4.1%-4.2%. This means that the BoE will have even fewer reasons to talk about rate cuts or any other measures to ease financial conditions right now. Core inflation will likely remain around 5.1%. In other words, it may continue to rise without slowing down.

On Thursday, reports on GDP and industrial production will be released, followed by a retail sales report on Friday. In the current situation, I don't think these data are capable of exerting strong pressure on the pound. Based on everything I mentioned, I believe that you should focus on Bailey's speech and the inflation report.

Based on the analysis, I conclude that a bearish wave pattern is being formed. Wave 2 or b appears to be complete, so in the near future, I expect an impulsive descending wave 3 or c to form with a significant decline in the instrument. The failed attempt to break through the 1.1125 level, which corresponds to the 23.6% Fibonacci, suggests that the market is prepared to sell a month ago. I am currently considering selling. I will only consider short positions with targets around the level of 1.0462, which corresponds to 127.2% Fibonacci.

This image is no longer relevant

The wave pattern for the GBP/USD pair suggests a decline. At this time, I am considering selling the instrument with targets below the 1.2039 mark because wave 2 or b will eventually end, just like the sideways trend. I would wait for a successful attempt to break through the 1.2627 level as this will serve as a sell signal. In the near future, there could be another signal in the form of an unsuccessful attempt to break this level. If it appears, the pair could firmly fall at least to the level of 1.2468, which would already be a significant achievement for the dollar, as the demand for it remains very low.

Chin Zhao,
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

EUR/USD: Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/USD pair is attracting buyers today, breaking a three-day losing streak and attempting to build intraday momentum above the psychological 1.1300 level. This indicates a renewed interest from buyers

Irina Yanina 11:59 2025-05-02 UTC+2

U.S. Labor Market Data Could Be a Major Disappointment

Employment growth in the U.S. likely slowed in April, although the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged, pointing to healthy but moderate demand for labor. However, the Trump administration's

Jakub Novak 10:08 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The ECB Has No Other Choice

The European currency continues to lose ground against the U.S. dollar as traders increasingly place bets on the European Central Bank's upcoming monetary policy decisions. According to data, the chances

Jakub Novak 10:03 2025-05-02 UTC+2

China Has Finally Responded

The euro, the pound, and other risk assets reacted with gains following statements from Chinese authorities that they are assessing the possibility of trade negotiations with the United States—marking

Jakub Novak 09:57 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The Process Has Begun. China Is Ready for Trade Talks (There's a Chance of Renewed Decline in Gold and EUR/USD Prices)

Trading on the last day of the week is unfolding positively. News that China is ready to begin negotiations has inspired investors to buy risk assets and weakened the U.S

Pati Gani 09:43 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The Market Enters Turbulent Waters

The market is confident that tariffs won't materialize or that companies can pass them on to customers. The S&P 500's eight-day rally—its longest since August—strongly hints at this. So does

Marek Petkovich 09:24 2025-05-02 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 2? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Only a few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but some are quite significant. Naturally, the focus is on the U.S. NonFarm Payrolls and unemployment rate, yet it's also important

Paolo Greco 09:14 2025-05-02 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 2: The U.S. Dollar Didn't Rise for Long

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair continued to decline. The dollar had strengthened for three consecutive days—despite having no objective reason. U.S. macroeconomic data has been consistently weak; there were

Paolo Greco 03:50 2025-05-02 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 2: The Dollar Faces a New Collapse – And It's Far from the Last

On Thursday, the EUR/USD currency pair once again traded relatively calmly, but the U.S. dollar failed to show any meaningful growth this time. A little bit of good news goes

Paolo Greco 03:47 2025-05-02 UTC+2

USD/JPY: A Rough Patch for the Yen

At its latest meeting, the Bank of Japan kept all key policy settings unchanged, effectively implementing the most expected baseline scenario—despite earlier conflicting statements from central bank officials

Irina Manzenko 01:19 2025-05-02 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.