GBP/USD consolidates around 1.3300 mark; downside potential seems limited

Mitrade
Trending Articles
coverImg
Source: DepositPhotos
  • GBP/USD lacks any firm intraday direction and oscillates in a range at the start of a new week.

  • The USD preserves last week’s recovery gains from a multi-year low and acts as a headwind.

  • Bets for a less dovish BoE and hopes for a UK-US trade deal to limit the downside for the major.


The GBP/USD pair kicks off the new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow band around the 1.3300 round-figure mark during the Asian session.


The US Dollar (USD) preserves last week's recovery gains from a multi-year low amid the uncertainty over US-China trade talks, which, in turn, is seen as a key factor acting as a headwind for the GBP/USD pair. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that he did not know if US President Donald Trump had talked to Chinese President Xi Jinping. This keeps a lid on the optimism led by Trump's assertion that tariff talks with China were underway and underpins the USD's relative safe-haven status.


The British Pound (GBP), on the other hand, draws some support from the upbeat domestic data released on Friday and hopes that the UK will strike a trade deal with the US soon. In fact, UK Retail Sales unexpectedly rose by 0.4% in March following the previous month's downwardly revised growth of 0.7%. For the first quarter as a whole, retail sales rose by 1.6% - marking the strongest reading in four years and tempering market expectations for a more dovish Bank of England (BoE) rate-cut path going forward.


In contrast, traders have been pricing in the possibility that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will resume its rate-cutting cycle in June and lower borrowing costs at least three times by the end of this year. This, along with concerns about the economic fallout from Trump's trade policies, is holding back the USD bulls from placing fresh bets and lending some support to the GBP/USD pair. Hence, it will be prudent to wait for strong follow-through selling before positioning for any meaningful downside for spot prices.


Read more

  • TradingKey 2025 Markets Recap & Outlook | Gold Records Its Best Performance in Half a Century, Wall Street Predicts $5,000 Breach in 2026
  • * The content presented above, whether from a third party or not, is considered as general advice only.  This article should not be construed as containing investment advice, investment recommendations, an offer of or solicitation for any transactions in financial instruments.

    goTop
    quote
    Related Articles
    placeholder
    ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next MoveWith the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
    Author  Mitrade
    Dec 26, Fri
    With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
    placeholder
    Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions thinkAfter a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
    Author  Insights
    Dec 25, Thu
    After a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
    placeholder
    When is the BoJ rate decision and how could it affect USD/JPY?The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 19, Fri
    The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
    placeholder
    Australian Dollar deepens losses despite rising Consumer Inflation ExpectationsThe Australian Dollar (AUD) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday for the sixth successive day.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 18, Thu
    The Australian Dollar (AUD) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday for the sixth successive day.
    placeholder
    Pound Sterling slumps as UK inflation falls by more than expected to 3.2%The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces intense selling pressure against its major currency peers on Wednesday and slides over 0.5% to near 1.3340 against the US Dollar (USD), following the release of the United Kingdom (UK) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 17, Wed
    The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces intense selling pressure against its major currency peers on Wednesday and slides over 0.5% to near 1.3340 against the US Dollar (USD), following the release of the United Kingdom (UK) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November.

    Forex Related Articles

    • Trading Chart Patterns:Ultimate Guide to Price Action
    • 06 Leading Forex Trading Apps in Australia: Reviews & Download Links
    • Forex Market Hours, Every Forex Trader Cannot Miss
    • Top 10 Must-Have Forex Technical Indicators That Every Trader Should Use
    • 7 Powerful Forex Trading Strategies/Tips for Consistent Profits
    • EUR/USD Forecast In 2024/2025/2026: Which EUR Pairs Should I Buy?

    Click to view more