Select Language

GBP/USD pares gains as markets weigh rate cut bets

Breaking news

GBP/USD pares gains as markets weigh rate cut bets

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
update 2025.08.26 08:04
GBP/USD pares gains as markets weigh rate cut bets

update 2025.08.26 08:04

  • GBP/USD gave up most of its gains from late last week.
  • Cable continues to grind it out near key moving averages.
  • Markets are hunkering down for a long wait to key US inflation figures later this week.

GBP/USD backslid on Monday, falling back into the 1.3450 region after global markets reconsidered their rate cut frenzy sparked by perceptions of a dovish Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell late last week. Powell's appearance at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium fanned the flames of interest rate cut expectations heading into the weekend, but now the latest batch of key US Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index (PCE) inflation data looms large ahead of investors this week.

It's a fairly sedate showing on the economic data docket for Cable traders on the UK side; London markets were shuttered for an extended weekend, making Tuesday the first day that GBP domestics will be back on the books since Friday. The data docket is dominated by a decent spread of US economic figures, culminating in the latest PCE inflation print slated for Friday.

Rate cuts? Jobs say yes, inflation says....

Softening labor figures have certainly done their job to stoke rate cut hopes recently. A sharp downside revision to the latest quarter's hiring numbers tilted both Fed policymakers and market participants into expectations of forthcoming interest rate cuts. However, the ever-present specter of tariff-led inflation continues to be the quiet thorn in the side of traders. The latest batch of PCE inflation, due on Friday, is expected to show yet another slight uptick in annualized PCE inflation. As the favored inflation metric for the Fed's decision-making, rising PCE inflation will make it difficult for the Fed to dole out rate trims at a pace markets will be satisfied with.

GBP/USD price forecast

A fresh round of Greenback bidding halted a one-day advance on the GBP/USD pair, dragging intraday price action back into familiar consolidation near the 50-day Exponential Moving Average. Cable bids have struggled to push away from the 1.3450 region in either direction as of late. Despite an ongoing bullish trend from early August's lows around 1.3150, topside momentum has stalled out ever since bidders flubbed the 1.3600 handle.

GBP/USD daily chart


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

 : 2025.08.26

Update

Last updated

 : 2025.08.26

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

EUR/USD slips as Dollar rebounds, French protests weigh on sentiment

EUR/USD edges lower on Friday, late in the North American session, as the Greenback recovers after bouncing off three-year lows reached in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate cut.
New
update2025.09.20 05:56

Australian Dollar heads for weekly decline amid cautious Fed outlook

The Australian Dollar (AUD) trades on the back foot against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, with AUD/USD extending its decline for the third straight day.
New
update2025.09.20 04:21

Fed's Daly says Fed cut rates to support labor market

Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of San Francisco President Mary C. Daly noted late on Friday that the Fed's move to cut rates was to try and bolster a weakening labor market, noting a pointed softening of the US economy over the past year.
New
update2025.09.20 04:12

Canadian Dollar pares losses despite Retail Sales miss, bucks Greenback trend

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) shrugged off broad-market performance on Friday, chalking in a 0.15% gain against the US Dollar (USD), the second-best currency on the books for the day.
New
update2025.09.20 03:46

Gold rebounds above $3,670 as dip buyers step in despite firm US Dollar

Gold price reverses its course on Friday after printing back-to-back bearish session, rises over 0.69% despite overall US Dollar strength across the board. Buyers emerged near the lows of the week at around $3,630 and drove the non-yielding metal higher.
New
update2025.09.20 03:28

Banxico seen cutting rates to 7.50% in September - Reuters

Banco de Mexico (Banxico), Mexico's central bank is expected to reduce its main reference rate by 25 basis points to 7.50% on September 26, revealed a Reuters poll.
New
update2025.09.20 03:25

WTI extends declines as strong US Dollar and weak demand overshadow Fed rate cut

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil remains under pressure on Friday, extending its losing streak for the third straight day. The US benchmark has surrendered all the gains it notched earlier in the week and is now poised to end the week in negative territory.
New
update2025.09.20 03:24

Dow Jones Industrial Average chalks up strong weekly performance post-Fed

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) chalked in another slim but decisive gain on Friday, bringing the major equity index's weekly performance to around a full percentage point gain.
update2025.09.20 02:45

Stephen Miran confirms he was the 'bottom dot', insists immigration policy is deflationary

Newly minted Federal Reserve (Fed) Board of Governors member Stephen Miran, in a stiff departure from standard Fed rhetoric policy, revealed exactly where his opinion landed in the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) latest Summary of Economic Projections (SEP).
update2025.09.20 01:47

Canadian Dollar firms despite weaker July Retail Sales

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) strengthens against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, with USD/CAD snapping a two-day winning streak and trimming earlier intraday losses despite a firmer Greenback and softer Retail Sales data.
update2025.09.20 00:38

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