Select Language

GBP/USD attracts some buyers above 1.2950 on weaker US Dollar

Breaking news

GBP/USD attracts some buyers above 1.2950 on weaker US Dollar

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
New update 2025.03.31 11:37
GBP/USD attracts some buyers above 1.2950 on weaker US Dollar

update 2025.03.31 11:37

  • GBP/USD drifts higher to around 1.2965 in Monday's Asian session, adding 0.21% on the day. 
  • The fears of economic slowdown in the US drag the US Dollar lower. 
  • UK Retail Sales climbed unexpectedly in February. 

The GBP/USD pair gathers strength to near 1.2965 during the Asian trading hours on Monday. The concerns that US President Donald Trump's tariffs will ignite inflation and dampen economic growth weigh on the US Dollar (USD) and act as a tailwind for the major pair. 

Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks set to take effect on April 3. This measure comes on top of a flat 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, and Trump's impending reciprocal tariff announcement on Wednesday. Many analysts are worried that tariffs will have a negative impact on the US economy, even while limiting the Federal Reserve's (Fed) chance for reducing interest rates while also increasing inflation in the near term. This, in turn, might drag the USD lower and lift the GBP/USD pair in the near term.

"Recession risks have become elevated - to a 40% probability - on concerns that aggressive U.S. policies hit business and household sentiment," warned Bruce Kasman, chief economist at JPMorgan.

UK data showed Retail Sales were surprisingly strong in February, supporting the Pound Sterling (GBP). The UK Retail Sales rose 1.0% MoM in February versus 1.4% prior (revised from 1.7%), the Office for National Statistics showed on Friday. This figure came in stronger than the estimation of a 0.3% decline. "The better news on retail sales in Q1 provides a glimmer of hope that that might be changing," said Ruth Gregory, economist at the consultancy Capital Economics. 

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.

 


Date

Created

 : 2025.03.31

Update

Last updated

 : 2025.03.31

Related articles


Show more

FXStreet

Financial media

arrow
FXStreet

FXStreet is a forex information website, delivering market analysis and news articles 24/7.
It features a number of articles contributed by well-known analysts, in addition to the ones by its editorial team.
Founded in 2000 by Francesc Riverola, a Spanish economist, it has grown to become a world-renowned information website.

Was this article helpful?

We hope you find this article useful. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  
We are also looking for writers with extensive experience in forex and crypto to join us.

please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your feedback.

Most viewed

TRY: Re-establishing credibility is always difficult - Commerzbank

Last Thursday, Turkey's central bank (CBT) surprised markets by raising its main policy rate from 42.5% to 46.0%. Simultaneously, it increased the overnight lending rate to 49%, and the overnight borrowing rate to 44.5%.
New
update2025.04.22 17:57

Gold price up over 10% in April, hits $3,500 on Fed spat turmoil

Gold price (XAU/USD) shows no signs of fatigue and extends its rally higher yet again, hitting another record high at $3,500 in early Asian trading on Tuesday.
New
update2025.04.22 17:52

JPY: Strong position - ING

The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the biggest winner in this latest round of USD selling, as it responds to both the equity slump and the risks of the Fed's independence.
New
update2025.04.22 17:50

GBP/JPY: Pound Sterling cross rates mixed at the start of the European session

Pound Sterling (GBP) crosses trade mixed at the start of Tuesday, according to FXStreet data. The Pound Sterling (GBP) to the Japanese Yen changes hands at 188.02, with the GBP/JPY pair declining from its previous close at 188.44.
New
update2025.04.22 17:50

JPY: Strength mainly vs. the USD - Commerzbank

The Japanese yen continued to strengthen against the US dollar over the holiday weekend, with the USD/JPY approaching 140 this morning.
New
update2025.04.22 17:48

USD: Confidence crisis extends - ING

US Dollar (USD) losses of the past few weeks have been a combination of mounting US growth concerns and a loss of confidence in the dollar as a safe haven. The round of USD weakness seen on Easter Monday belongs to both trends.
New
update2025.04.22 17:43

Dollar weakness due to threat to Fed independence - ING

The US president's attacks on Fed Chair Jay Powell are intensifying. And the dollar is weakening accordingly. The President of the United States is not well versed in conventional forms of politeness. We also know that he prefers a loose monetary policy.
New
update2025.04.22 17:38

WTI rises to near $63.50 due to covering short positions

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price retraces its recent losses from the previous session, trading around $63.30 per barrel during the European hours on Tuesday. The uptick in crude Oil prices came as investors took advantage of Monday's sharp sell-off to cover short positions.
New
update2025.04.22 17:30

Gold surges to fresh record high - ING

Gold surged to new record highs as President Trump threatened to fire US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, sparking a flight to safe-haven assets, ING's commodity experts Ewa Manthey and Warren Patterson note.
New
update2025.04.22 17:28

EUR/GBP today: Euro cross rates mixed at the start of the European session

Euro (EUR) crosses trade mixed at the start of Tuesday, according to FXStreet data.
New
update2025.04.22 17:27

Disclaimer:arw

All information and content provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit any investment. Although all efforts are made in order to ensure that the information is correct, no guarantee is provided for the accuracy of any content on this website. Any decision made shall be the responsibility of the investor and Myforex does not take any responsibility whatsoever regarding the use of any information provided herein.

The content provided on this website belongs to Myforex and, where stated, the relevant licensors. All rights are reserved by Myforex and the relevant licensors, and no content of this website, whether in full or in part, shall be copied or displayed elsewhere without the explicit written permission of the relevant copyright holder. If you wish to use any part of the content provided on this website, please ensure that you contact Myforex.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LINE

Myforex uses cookies to improve the convenience and functionality of this website. This website may include cookies not only by us but also by third parties (advertisers, log analysts, etc.) for the purpose of tracking the activities of users. Cookie policy

I agree
share
Share
Cancel