GBP/USD: Rally could extend to 1.1910 and 1.2000 – UOB

Extra upside in GBP/USD could revisit the 1.1910 and even 1.2000 in the short-term horizon, suggested Economist Lee Sue Ann and Markets Strategist Quek Ser Leang at UOB Group.

Key Quotes

24-hour view: “The deeply overbought rally in GBP from Friday appears to be overdone and GBP is unlikely to advance much further. For today, GBP is more likely to trade between 1.1725 and 1.1860.”

Next 1-3 weeks: “Despite surging by an outsized 4.08% last week, solid upward momentum suggests there is room for the rally in GBP to extend to 1.1910, possibly 1.2000. The upside risk is intact as long as GBP does not break below the ‘strong support’ level of 1.1660.”

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The US Dollar is at an advantage against the Euro thanks to the Fed – Commerzbank

Whose monetary policy is more attractive? A comparison of the Fed and ECB shows the US Dollar is more attractive than the Euro, economists at Commerzbank report.

Dollar holds advantage over the Euro

“Fed Chair Jay Powell has pointed out that the Fed is aiming for a key rate level above inflation medium-term. That means the Fed will only stop hiking interest rates or lower them again once it can be sufficiently certain that inflation is easing notably. The impression the ECB is giving to observers is completely different. One gets the impression that Europe’s central bankers have to be forced by high inflation data to get them to hike rates. From the FX market’s point of view that means the Dollar is at an advantage against the Euro.”

“If inflation were to not fall or ease much less than the central banks expect the ECB would always be chasing inflation developments, would stand little chance of anchoring it and would produce negative real interest rates medium-term as a result. The Fed on the other hand would hike its key rate more significantly than it is planning so far. In the end, US Dollar real interest rates would also be positive in that scenario.”

“What is decisive from the FX market’s point of view depends on the rule the central bank applies to set its rates. The Fed’s rule seems to be more suited for protection against negative inflation surprises. That too makes the Dollar attractive, not just the current rate advantage.”

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EURUSD: On course to test the October 13 low near 0.9635 – BBH

EURUSD extends the corrective decline and revisits the 0.9750 region. Economists at BBH expect the worl's most popular currency pair to challenge the October 13 low near 0.9635.

ECB tightening expectations have fallen back a bit

“EURUSD is on track to test the October 21 low near 0.9705 and then the October 13 low near 0.9635.”

“With a big chunk of the eurozone already tipping into recession, can the ECB hike as aggressively as anticipated? It appears that the market is starting to have it doubts.”

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GBP/USD remains stuck between two key DMAs ahead of central banks’ bonanza

• GBP/USD starts November on the right footing amid USD weakness, risk flows.
• Fed and BOE are set to hike policy rates by 75 bps each this week.
• Cable is likely to extend range play between 100 and 50DMAs.

GBP/USD is consolidating the rebound above 1.1500 so far this Tuesday, kicking off November on the right footing. Investors brace for the critical Fed and BOE rate hike decisions, with both the central banks set to announce 75 bps rate increases later this week.

Ahead of the central banks’ bonanza, investors are breathing a sigh of relief, thanks to the FX market repositioning and the rally in Chinese stocks. The risk-on market environment is boding well for the higher-yielding pound sterling at the expense of the safe-haven US dollar.

Attention turns towards the US ISM Manufacturing PMI release, although not much reaction is expected on the data release unless the figure disappoints expectations by a wide margin. Meanwhile, the UK S&P Global Final Manufacturing PMI improved to 46.2 in October vs. 45.8 expected and the first reading of 45.8.

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 EUR/USD Price Analysis: Further gains on the cards above 0.9900

• EUR/USD extends the decline to the vicinity of 0.9900.
• The multi-month support line near 0.9900 holds the downside.

EUR/USD comes under further pressure and trades closer to the 0.9900 neighbourhood on Monday.

The 0.9900 region, where the 8-month support line and the 55-day SMA converge, emerges as a quite decent contention zone for the time being. While above this region, the pair could attempt another visit to the October top near 1.0100 (October 27).

In the longer run, the pair’s bearish view should remain unaltered while below the 200-day SMA at 1.0495.

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GBP/USD could now test the 1.1760 level – UOB

GBP/USD remains firm and could extend the upside momentum to the 1.1760 region in the next weeks, suggest Market Strategist at UOB Group Quek Ser Leang and Economist Lee Sue Ann.

Key Quotes

24-hour view: “While we expected GBP to strengthen yesterday, we were of the view ‘1.1600 is unlikely to come into view for now’. In other words, we did not expect the strong surge that sent GBP to a high of 1.1639. Upward momentum is still strong and GBP is likely to rise further, albeit likely at a slower pace. Resistance levels are at 1.1700 and 1.1760. The latter level is unlikely to be challenged today. Support is at 1.1590 but only a break of 1.1540 would indicate that GBP is not strengthening further.”

Next 1-3 weeks: “When GBP was trading at 1.1300 two days ago (25 Oct), we noted that it is mildly supported and could edge higher. After GBP soared, we highlighted yesterday (26 Oct, spot at 1.1460) that the strong boost in momentum is likely to lead to further strength. We indicated that the next resistance is at 1.1600. GBP took out 1.1600 in London trade yesterday and surged to a high of 1.1639. The price action suggests GBP is still strong and is likely to strengthen further. The next level to monitor is at 1.1760. The GBP strength is intact as long as it does not break the ‘strong support’ at 1.1440 (level was at 1.1310 yesterday).”

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 EUR/JPY Price Analysis: Room for extra upside near term

• EUR/JPY adds to Thursday’s gains and prints new highs.
• Further upside could target the 149.80 region in the short term.

EUR/JPY extends the optimism seen in the second half of the week and advances to new cycle highs around 147.60 on Friday.

Considering the current price action in the cross, the door still looks open to extra upside. That said, the immediate target now emerges at the December 2014 high at 149.78 (December 8).

In the short term the upside momentum is expected to persist while above the October lows near 141.00.

In the longer run, while above the key 200-day SMA at 136.85, the constructive outlook for the cross should remain unchanged.

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GBP/USD remains vulnerable, though volatility will drift lower

GBP/USD is on the back foot around 1.1200 as the UK political drama deepens. The British pound remains vulnerable as market pricing for rate hikes looks excessive.

UK political soap opera continues

“The UK political soap opera continues, but Jeremy Hunt’s appointment as Chancellor has separated the politics from economic policy.”

“Ignoring the noise in Westminster, we are left with a dramatic U-turn in fiscal policy, which is now tight enough to harden the economic landing and make the 5.2% that is priced-in for UK rates in 12 months’ time look excessive, outright and relative to the 4.9% priced in for the Fed, or the 3.1% priced for the ECB. This leaves sterling vulnerable, even from here, though surely volatility will drift lower.”

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GBP/USD to tick down but unlikely to dive below the 1.05-1.07 support zone – Standard Chartered

How likely is it for GBP/USD to break below parity? Economists at Standard Chartered expect cable to edge lower but remain above the 1.0500-1.0700 area.

GBP/USD could see a retest of 1.14 and even 1.16 in the near-term

“While upward momentum could see a retest of 1.14 and even 1.16 over the next few days, we expect cable to edge lower in the coming weeks, with 1.0700 and 1.0500 as key near-term supports.”

“Disappointment on potential rollback or budget proposals could raise the risk of a test of parity, but we believe GBP/USD may struggle to break below the 1.0500-1.0700 region where it should stabilise.”

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EUR/USD Price Analysis: Rising bets for a drop to 0.9630

EUR/USD fades part of the post-CPI sharp upside on Friday.

Next on the downside now comes the weekly low near 0.9630.

EUR/USD gives aways most of its recent advance to the area just above the 0.9800 mark at the end of the week.

The continuation of the pullback appears on the cards and carries the potential to challenge the recent weekly low at 0.9631 (October 13) in the short-term horizon.

In the longer run, the pair’s bearish view should remain unaltered while below the 200-day SMA at 1.0576.

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Germany's Lindner: Not following British down the path of expansionary fiscal policy

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Thursday that they will mobilise Germany's economic strength when necessary, as reported by Reuters.

Regarding the German government's decision to implement a price brake on gas and electricity while providing funding of up to €200 billion for an "economic defence shield," Linder said that these measures should not fuel inflation.

"We are not following the British down the path of expansionary fiscal policy," the minister explained.

Market reaction

The EUR/USD pair retreated from session highs following these comments and was last seen trading at 0.9705, where it was down 0.33% on a daily basis.

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GBP/USD: Vulnerable to a break of parity later this year – ING

There has been a loose discussion in the market about the prospect of GBP/USD hitting parity for some months. Economists at ING believe that the pair could break under 1.00 this year.

EUR/GBP can make a run towards the March 2020 high of 0.95

“At this stage, we think UK authorities will probably just have to let sterling find its right level. The UK has a reserve currency so it can always issue debt – it’s just a question of the right price.”

“We are still bullish on the dollar this year as Fed leads the deflationary charge and global growth slows. That means GBP/USD is now vulnerable to a break of parity later this year, while – quite unexpectedly – EUR/GBP can make a run towards the March 2020 high of 0.95, with outside risk to the 2008 high of 0.98.”

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GBP/USD slumps to fresh multi-decade lows below 1.1050

GBP/USD is down over 300 pips on the day.

The risk-averse market environment provides a boost to the greenback.

Disappointing data releases from the UK weigh heavily on GBP.

Following a consolidation phase during the Asian trading hours, GBP/USD came under heavy bearish pressure and lost more than 200 pips on the day. As of writing, the pair was trading at its lowest level since 1985 at 1.1045, down nearly 2% on a daily basis.

Earlier in the day, the data from the UK revealed that the business activity in the private sector continued to contract in early September with the preliminary Composite PMI dropping to 48.4 from 49.6 in August. This reading came in below the market expectation of 49.

Furthermore, the Confederation of British Industry's latest Distributive Trades Survey revealed that the Retail Sales Balance plunged to -20 in September from +37 in August and fueled the GBP selloff.

In addition to dismal UK data, the intense flight to safety provides a boost to the dollar and further weighs on the pair. US stock index futures were last seen losing between 1.3% and 1.6% on the day, suggesting that safe-haven flows are likely to continue to dominate the financial markets.

The US economic docket will feature S&P Global's Manufacturing and Services PMI reports later in the day.

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EUR/USD could stage a recovery if it manages to flip 0.9880 into support

EUR/USD recovered modestly during the European trading hours. The pair needs to reclaim 0.9880 to extend the rebound.

The dollar could lose interest in case US stocks rebound

“In case Wall Street's main indexes gain traction after the opening bell, the dollar could deepen its downward correction and allow EUR/USD to continue to stretch higher.”

“0.9880 (former support, static level) forms initial resistance. If EUR/USD manages to rise above that level and starts using it as support, it could target 0.9900 (psychological level), 0.9950 (static level, 20-period SMA on the four-hour chart) and 0.9980 (100-period SMA).”

“On the downside, 0.9800 (psychological level, static level) aligns as first support ahead of 0.9750 (static level from October 2002) and 0.9700 (psychological level).”

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GBP/USD: Charts point to a test of the all-time low at 1.0520 – BBH

Sterling is underperforming after weak retail sales data and traded near 1.1350, the lowest since 1985. Economists at BBH note that the GBP/USD pair could plummet to the all-time low at 1.0520.

Sterling pounded on anniversary of Black Wednesday

“Headline sales fell -1.6% MoM vs. -0.5% expected and a revised 0.4% (was 0.3%) in July, while sales ex-auto fuel also fell -1.6% MoM vs. 0.4% in July. As a result, the YoY rates fell to -5.4% and -5.0%, respectively. The data confirm what we all know already, and that is the economy is sliding into recession. How long and how deep this downturn will remain a great source of debate.”

“We would be remiss if we did not mention that today is the anniversary of Black Wednesday. Thirty years ago, sterling was unceremoniously ejected from the Exchange Rate Mechanism. Cable is marking the occasion by trading at its weakest level since 1985 near 1.1350. There is literally nothing in the charts until the February 1985 all-time low near 1.0520.”

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ECB's Centeno: No sign of inflation expectations de-anchoring

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Mario Centeno said on Thursday that he does not see any signs of a de-anchoring of inflation expectations, per Reuters.

"The monetary policy must act at the margin in as small steps as possible," Centeno added and further noted that he expects the effects of unprecedented supply shocks to ease.

Market reaction

These comments don't seem to be having a significant impact on the shared currency's performance against its major rivals. As of writing, EUR/USD was up 0.15% on the day at 0.9991.

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 Breaking: US annual CPI inflation declines to 8.3% in August vs. 8.1% expected

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this Tuesday that inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), decelerated to 8.3% on a yearly basis in August from 8.5% in the previous month. The reading was slightly above consensus estimates pointing to a decline to 8.1%. 

The Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.6% in August (0.3% anticipated) and climbed to 6.3% on yearly basis, up from 5.9% in July and 6.1% expected.

Follow our live coverage of the market reaction to US inflation data.

Market reaction

The US dollar catches aggressive bids in reaction to the stronger-than-expected CPI report and for now, seems to have stalled its recent sharp pullback from a two-decade high touched last week.

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EUR/USD remains unfazed around parity post-ECB rate decision

EUR/USD keeps the daily range around the parity zone.

ECB raised its key rates by 75 bps, matching previous estimates.

The ECB now sees the region’s economy expanding 3.1% in 2022.

The single currency now alternates gains with losses and motivates EUR/USD to keep hovering around the parity region after the ECB raised rates on Thursday.

EUR/USD now focuses on Lagarde

EUR/USD keeps the daily range after the ECB raised the interests rates by 75 bps, as widely expected. That said, the interest on the main refinancing operations, the interest rate on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility are now at 1.25%, 1.50% and 0.75%, respectively.

In its statement, the ECB predicts that further interest rate hikes are on the table over the next several meetings aimed at undermining demand and tackle upside risks in inflation expectations.

The updated macroeconomic projections now forecast inflation to rise at an average 8.1% this year, 5.5% in 2023 and 2.3% in 2024. Back to the economic growth, the bank’s staff now sees the region expanding 3.1% in 2022, 0.9% in the next year and 1.9% in 2024.

Moving forward, market participants will now closely follow the usual press conference by Chairwoman Lagarde and the subsequent Q&A session, while the speech by Fed's Powell will also grab investors' attention.

What to look for around EUR

EUR/USD now clings to the parity region ahead of the always important press conference by Chair Lagarde after the ECB delivered a widely anticipated 75 bps rate hike.

So far, price action around the European currency is expected to closely follow dollar dynamics, geopolitical concerns, fragmentation worries and the Fed-ECB divergence. The latter, in the meantime, keeps closely following the prevailing debate around the size of the next interest rate hikes by both the ECB and the Federal Reserve.

On the negatives for the single currency emerge the so far increasing speculation of a potential recession in the region, which looks propped up by dwindling sentiment gauges as well as an incipient slowdown in some fundamentals.

Key events in the euro area this week: ECB Interest Rate Decision, Lagarde press conference (Thursday) – Eurogroup Meeting, Emergency Energy Meeting (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Continuation of the ECB hiking cycle. Italian elections in late September. Fragmentation risks amidst the ECB’s normalization of its monetary conditions. Impact of the war in Ukraine and the persistent energy crunch on the region’s growth prospects and inflation outlook.

EUR/USD levels to watch

So far, the pair is gaining 0.06% at 1.0005 and faces the next resistance at 1.0090 (weekly high August 26) ahead of 1.0161 (55-day SMA) and then 1.0202 (August 17 high). On the other hand, a drop below 0.9863 (2022 low September 6) would target 0.9859 (December 2002 low) en route to 0.9685 (October 2002 low).

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GBP/USD could extend its rebound if it manages to clear 1.1600

GBP/USD clings to daily recovery gains above 1.1550. The pair needs to clear 1.1600 to attract buyers.

The near-term technical outlook points to a bullish shift

“Near-term technical outlook points to a bullish tilt following the latest rebound.”

“1.1600 (psychological level, static level) aligns as immediate resistance. In case the pair manages to hold above that level, the 1.1640/50 area (50-period SMA, static level) could be seen as the next hurdle ahead of 1.1700 (static level, psychological level).”

“On the downside, 1.1550 (20-period SMA) forms first support before 1.1500 (psychological level, upper limit of the descending channel) and 1.1440 (September 5 low).”

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AUD/USD climbs back above 0.6800 mark amid modest USD weakness, NFP awaited

AUD/USD gains positive traction and reverses a part of the overnight slide to a multi-week low.

The USD moves away from a two-decade high and turns out to be a key factor lending support.

Aggressive Fed rate hike bets to limit the USD losses and cap the pair ahead of the NFP report.

The AUD/USD pair attracts some buying on Friday and recovers a part of the previous day's losses to the 0.6770 area, or the lowest level since July 18. The pair builds on its steady intraday ascent and moves back above the 0.6800 mark, hitting a fresh daily high during the first half of the European session.

The US dollar edges lower and retreats further from a two-decade high touched on Thursday, which, in turn, offers some support to the AUD/USD pair. A softer tone surrounding the US Treasury bond yields keeps the USD bulls on the defensive amid some repositioning trade ahead of the US monthly jobs data. Apart from this, signs of stability in the financial markets further undermine the safe-haven buck and benefit the risk-sensitive aussie.

That said, growing recession fears, economic headwinds stemming from fresh COVID-19 lockdowns in China and the war in Ukraine should cap any optimistic moves. Furthermore, expectations that the Fed will continue to tighten its monetary policy to tame inflation should act as a tailwind for the US bond yields and lend support to the greenback. This, in turn, warrants caution before placing aggressive bullish bets around the AUD/USD pair.

It is worth mentioning that the markets are pricing in a supersized 75 bps rate hike at the September FOMC meeting and the bets were reaffirmed by the recent hawkish remarks by several Fed officials. Traders now look to the US NFP report, which will provide a fresh insight into the economy's health and influence the USD price dynamics. This, in turn, will drive the AUD/USD pair ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting next week.

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