empty
11.12.2024 12:37 AM
The UK Economy Slows Down: GBP/USD Analysis

The UK's industrial sector has responded to the new budget presented by the Labour Party with decreased business confidence and slower hiring. While considered secondary indicators with limited direct impact on the pound's exchange rate, several metrics clearly show a slowdown: business confidence in November fell to its lowest level since January 2023, and the BDO optimism index dropped by 5.81 points over the month to 93.49, marking the steepest monthly decline since August 2021. According to BDO, the decline observed in both the services and manufacturing sectors "likely reflects an immediate reaction by businesses to statements made in the autumn budget."

Job vacancies in November fell at the fastest pace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with demand for personnel decreasing "sharply and at an accelerated pace."

On Thursday, the NIESR will release its estimate of GDP growth for November. Friday will be critical for the pound, with the release of data on the trade balance, industrial production, and GDP for October. While these data points may not significantly impact the pound's exchange rate on their own, they are important for forecasting the outcomes of next week's Bank of England (BoE) meeting. Before the BoE meeting, several crucial releases are expected, including preliminary PMI data for December and reports on the labor market and consumer inflation. These reports will serve as the basis for the market's final projections.

This image is no longer relevant

The BoE's decision remains unclear. The market assumes the rate will stay at 4.75%, but policymakers' comments are contradictory. MPC member Catherine Mann argues that inflation in the services sector remains "stubbornly high," driven by wage growth, and has stated she will vote against a rate cut. At the same time, MPC member Swati Dhingra, on the other hand, highlights that monetary policy is restrictive, suppressing supply volumes, investment, and consumption, suggesting that policy easing is needed.

Given these conflicting perspectives, the pound lacks clear drivers for continued growth and has limited reasons for further decline. The bearish trend remains intact, but whether the corrective phase has ended is unclear.

The net long position in GBP has decreased by £169 million to £1.53 billion. Despite this relatively small reduction, the position has moved closer to neutral. The estimated price has fallen significantly below the long-term average, but the decline has slowed over the past week.

This image is no longer relevant

GBP/USD is currently in a phase of corrective growth, which is likely not yet complete. The pair has yet to reach the 1.2830/40 resistance zone, identified as a potential turning point for a southward reversal. While another attempt at growth cannot be ruled out, it is unlikely to be substantial. A more probable scenario is a resumption of the downtrend toward 1.23, the long-term target.

Kuvat Raharjo,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, following the release of data showing a February slowdown in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Japanese yen continues to trade with a negative tone, creating uncertainty

Irina Yanina 11:07 2025-03-21 UTC+2

US stock market getting ready for zero hour

The Federal Reserve has done all it can to calm the markets, but in 2025, the spotlight has shifted away from the central bank. The S&P 500 has brushed

Marek Petkovich 09:20 2025-03-21 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 21? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are no scheduled macroeconomic events for Friday. The euro and the pound have finally declined against the U.S. dollar. The Federal Reserve has done its part to calm

Paolo Greco 06:06 2025-03-21 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 21: The Bank of England Had No Impact on the Current Situation

The GBP/USD currency pair traded very calmly on Thursday, as on Wednesday evening. As the chart below clearly shows, volatility has recently dropped to noticeably low levels. What

Paolo Greco 04:16 2025-03-21 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 21: Markets Panicked in Vain, but That Doesn't Help the Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair began showing a semblance of a downward correction between Wednesday and Thursday. The price has consolidated below the moving average on the 4-hour chart, but it's

Paolo Greco 04:16 2025-03-21 UTC+2

The Outlook for the Japanese Yen Remains Confidently Bullish

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, and the market reacted neutrally, as this outcome was widely expected. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated that the risk

Kuvat Raharjo 23:46 2025-03-20 UTC+2

The Dollar Takes Back Its Own

Markets shoot first and ask questions later. Upon hearing Jerome Powell's assurance that the Federal Reserve had everything under control and that there would be no recession, U.S. stock indices

Marek Petkovich 23:45 2025-03-20 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold is experiencing a slight decline after reaching a new all-time high, remaining in a defensive stance. Currently, bullish traders are exercising caution, as indicated by overbought conditions

Irina Yanina 10:29 2025-03-20 UTC+2

Fed's message music to bulls' ears

The Fed is not throwing a lifeline to the S&P 500, but does it need one? Lifelines are for those drowning, while the market is merely spooked by a fleeting

Marek Petkovich 09:05 2025-03-20 UTC+2

Markets Are Stuck in a Vicious Circle with No Exit in Sight (Potential Decline for Bitcoin and Gold Prices)

The markets are currently experiencing significant shock due to a prevailing negative sentiment that looms over them like a heavy burden, with no resolution in sight. Given this situation

Pati Gani 08:23 2025-03-20 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.