GBP/USD climbs after Bank of England cut rates
The British pound has rebounded on Thursday. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2983, up 0.81% on the day. A day earlier, the pound took a drubbing, sliding 1.2%.
There was no surprise as the Bank of England lowered the key interest rate by 0.25% to 4.75%. The markets had priced in the move at close to 100% and the Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favor of the cut, with one member voting to hold rates at 5%.
The BoE has now lowered rates twice since its easing cycle in August. BoE policymakers had signaled that a rate cut was coming, as September inflation dropped sharply to 1.7%, the first time in over three years that inflation dropped below the BoE’s target of 2%.
The central bank is expected to lower rates gradually in modest increments of 25 basis points in the coming months, but last week’s UK budget could complicate things. The budget included tax hikes and increased spending, which is expected to boost inflation. That could mean a pause at the next BoE meeting in December and a slower pace of rate cuts next year.
The Federal Reserve meets later today, in the shadow of the dramatic US election, in which Republican Donald Trump cruised to a surprisingly easy victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. The Fed is virtually certain to trim rates by 0.25% to 4.5%-4.75%. With inflation easing, the Fed is expected to continue its rate-cutting cycle into 2025.
GBP/USD pushed above resistance at 1.2920 earlier and then tested resistance at 1.3007
There is support at 1.2793 and 1.2706
There was no surprise as the Bank of England lowered the key interest rate by 0.25% to 4.75%. The markets had priced in the move at close to 100% and the Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favor of the cut, with one member voting to hold rates at 5%.
The BoE has now lowered rates twice since its easing cycle in August. BoE policymakers had signaled that a rate cut was coming, as September inflation dropped sharply to 1.7%, the first time in over three years that inflation dropped below the BoE’s target of 2%.
The central bank is expected to lower rates gradually in modest increments of 25 basis points in the coming months, but last week’s UK budget could complicate things. The budget included tax hikes and increased spending, which is expected to boost inflation. That could mean a pause at the next BoE meeting in December and a slower pace of rate cuts next year.
The Federal Reserve meets later today, in the shadow of the dramatic US election, in which Republican Donald Trump cruised to a surprisingly easy victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. The Fed is virtually certain to trim rates by 0.25% to 4.5%-4.75%. With inflation easing, the Fed is expected to continue its rate-cutting cycle into 2025.
GBP/USD pushed above resistance at 1.2920 earlier and then tested resistance at 1.3007
There is support at 1.2793 and 1.2706
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.