Select Language

GBP/USD holds steady above 1.3250 as investors brace for US ISM Services PMI release

Breaking news

GBP/USD holds steady above 1.3250 as investors brace for US ISM Services PMI release

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
update 2025.08.05 13:07
GBP/USD holds steady above 1.3250 as investors brace for US ISM Services PMI release

update 2025.08.05 13:07

  • GBP/USD flat lines around 1.3280 in Tuesday's Asian session.
  • Traders are now pricing in a 94% possibility of a Fed rate reduction in September. 
  • The BoE is scheduled to announce its monetary policy decision on Thursday.

The GBP/USD pair trades on a flat note near 1.3280 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. Nonetheless, rising odds of Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts could weigh on the US Dollar (USD) against the Cable. Investors will keep an eye on the US ISM Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data, which is due later on Tuesday.

Soft US job data released on Friday prompted investors to ramp up bets of imminent Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts, which undermine the Greenback. The US employment growth undershot expectations in July, and the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) count for the prior two months was revised down by a massive 258K jobs, indicating a sharp deterioration in US labor market conditions. 

Markets are now pricing in nearly a 95% odds the Fed will ease rates next month owing to the weaker-than-expected US employment data, with over 63 basis points (bps) worth of cuts expected by December, according to Reuters. 

The Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decision will take center stage on Thursday. The UK central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates at the August meeting to prevent the economy from sliding backwards amid rising unemployment and the hit to global trade from US tariffs. 

Financial markets have priced in more than an 80% chance of BoE rate cuts at the August meeting and are penciling in a further quarter-point reduction before the end of the year. Traders will closely monitor the BoE's Governor Bailey speech after the monetary policy meeting. Any dovish remarks could drag the Pound Sterling (GBP) lower in the near term. 

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

 : 2025.08.05

Update

Last updated

 : 2025.08.05

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

GBP/USD churns chart paper near key figures ahead of quiet session

GBP/USD rebounded from early-week losses on Tuesday, bouncing back up from a fresh technical floor near the 1.3450 level. Cable has been drifting within familiar technical levels as broad-market investor sentiment grinds to a halt ahead of key US economic figures.
New
update2025.08.27 08:37

When is the Australian CPI inflation and how could it affect AUD/USD?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will publish its monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for July on Wednesday at 01.30 GMT. The monthly CPI is expected to show an increase of 2.3% year-over-year (YoY) in July, compared to a 1.9% figure reported in June. 
New
update2025.08.27 08:34

USD/CAD weakens below 1.3850 amid renewed concerns over Fed's independence

The USD/CAD pair loses ground to near 1.3835 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The US Dollar (USD) weakens against the Canadian dollar (CAD) amid fears over the Federal Reserve's (Fed) independence after US President Donald Trump announced he was firing a Fed Governor Lisa Cook.
New
update2025.08.27 08:03

USD/JPY continues sideways grind ahead of key data

USD/JPY eased slightly on Tuesday, backsliding around one-quarter of one percent and keeping the pair hobbled just below the 148.00 handle.
New
update2025.08.27 07:23

AUD/USD holds steady near key technical levels

AUD/USD is holding steady between familiar technical levels after catching a thin bid on Tuesday. US economic releases will take a breather on Wednesday, giving Aussie traders a chance to catch their breath, at least after the next round of Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data.
New
update2025.08.27 07:03

Donald Trump announces he will have a "majority" on the Fed

United States (US) President Donald Trump stepped in it on Tuesday, declaring that there would soon be a majority of rate-cut voters on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate setting voting body, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
New
update2025.08.27 05:46

BoC's Macklem reaffirms dropping inflation target amid trade policy uncertainty

Bank of Canada (BoC) Governor Tiff Macklem noted that the BoC will not be revisiting its 2% inflation targets for the foreseeable future, citing uncertainty around trade and ever-changing tariff policies from the United States (US).
New
update2025.08.27 04:12

Canadian Dollar gains ground on Greenback weakness

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) caught a slight bid on Tuesday, gaining some ground against the softening US Dollar (USD) heading into a quiet midweek.
New
update2025.08.27 03:41

EUR/USD threads water below 1.1650

The EUR/USD pair trades within a limited range on Tuesday, holding above the 1.1600 mark but unable to extend gains beyond an intraday peak in the 1.1660 region. The pair is hovering around 1.630 in the American afternoon, lacking a clear bias.
New
update2025.08.27 03:32

Forex Today: Australian inflation comes to the fore

The US Dollar (USD) reversed its prior gains and came under some modest downside pressure on Tuesday, as market participants shifted their attention to another bout of the Trump-Fed spat ahead of the release of key inflation data toward the end of the week.
New
update2025.08.27 03:19

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