So far, the month of July has not been a good one for GBPUSD, undermined by the precarious state of the UK Labour government’s finances, a deteriorating growth backdrop, and shifting interest rate differentials back in favour of the US dollar. This has seen a liquidation of stale long positioning and a steady decline from a 40 month high of 1.3789 registered on July 1st to a low of 1.3419 seen earlier today.
Looking forward, it could be another challenging week for FX traders to navigate. There are several economic data releases in the US and UK to digest, starting with the latest US CPI release later this afternoon (1330 BST), followed by the UK CPI update tomorrow (0700 BST) and then the UK Employment release on Thursday (0700 BST). All of these may have the potential to shift trader thinking on the next interest rate moves from the Federal Reserve (Fed), who are currently expected to keep rates unchanged when they next meet on July 31st, and the Bank of England (BoE), who are expected to cut by 25bps (0.25%) on August 7th.
When the outcome of these events is combined with the uncertain backdrop for global trade as President Trump’s new tariff deadline approaches on August 1st, alongside his ability to drop market moving social media headlines on a whim, this week has the potential to be a volatile one for GBPUSD.
Technical Update: Watching Closing Defence of 38.2% Retracement Support
So far, July has seen GBPUSD enter a correction phase, as prices have sold off from the 1.3789 July 1st session high into Tuesday’s current 1.3419 low. As the chart below shows, this 2.7% decline, seen over little more than a 10 session period, is now approaching what some might class as a support focus at 1.3370.
This level is equal to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April 7th to July 1st phase of strength, and could be one that traders are now monitoring on a closing basis over coming sessions. While this level remains intact, some might argue there is still a positive uptrend pattern in place.
However, it is also important to consider what are the support and resistance levels on which to focus, if either 1.3370 is broken to the downside, or it continues to stem the current phase of weakness, even helps prompt fresh attempts at price strength.
Possible Support Levels:
As we’ve suggested, it could be the 1.3370 retracement level that represents the first support, with closing breaks below this level opening potential for a more extended phase of price declines.
While much will depend on future market sentiment and price trends, closes below 1.3370 may represent possibilities of further weakness towards 1.3244, which is equal to the lower 50% retracement level. This giving way, may in time result in tests of 1.3140, the May 12th session low.
Possible Resistance Levels:
While the 1.3370 retracement continues to hold current price declines, it might be successful in prompting fresh attempts at price strength.
With that in mind, if moves back higher do materialise, a resistance point to monitor on a closing basis could be 1.3586. This is the current level of the Bollinger mid-average and this giving way on a closing basis may in turn lead to further attempts at price strength to challenge 1.3789, the July 1st high again.
The material provided here has not been prepared accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research, we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.
Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
Looking forward, it could be another challenging week for FX traders to navigate. There are several economic data releases in the US and UK to digest, starting with the latest US CPI release later this afternoon (1330 BST), followed by the UK CPI update tomorrow (0700 BST) and then the UK Employment release on Thursday (0700 BST). All of these may have the potential to shift trader thinking on the next interest rate moves from the Federal Reserve (Fed), who are currently expected to keep rates unchanged when they next meet on July 31st, and the Bank of England (BoE), who are expected to cut by 25bps (0.25%) on August 7th.
When the outcome of these events is combined with the uncertain backdrop for global trade as President Trump’s new tariff deadline approaches on August 1st, alongside his ability to drop market moving social media headlines on a whim, this week has the potential to be a volatile one for GBPUSD.
Technical Update: Watching Closing Defence of 38.2% Retracement Support
So far, July has seen GBPUSD enter a correction phase, as prices have sold off from the 1.3789 July 1st session high into Tuesday’s current 1.3419 low. As the chart below shows, this 2.7% decline, seen over little more than a 10 session period, is now approaching what some might class as a support focus at 1.3370.
This level is equal to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April 7th to July 1st phase of strength, and could be one that traders are now monitoring on a closing basis over coming sessions. While this level remains intact, some might argue there is still a positive uptrend pattern in place.
However, it is also important to consider what are the support and resistance levels on which to focus, if either 1.3370 is broken to the downside, or it continues to stem the current phase of weakness, even helps prompt fresh attempts at price strength.
Possible Support Levels:
As we’ve suggested, it could be the 1.3370 retracement level that represents the first support, with closing breaks below this level opening potential for a more extended phase of price declines.
While much will depend on future market sentiment and price trends, closes below 1.3370 may represent possibilities of further weakness towards 1.3244, which is equal to the lower 50% retracement level. This giving way, may in time result in tests of 1.3140, the May 12th session low.
Possible Resistance Levels:
While the 1.3370 retracement continues to hold current price declines, it might be successful in prompting fresh attempts at price strength.
With that in mind, if moves back higher do materialise, a resistance point to monitor on a closing basis could be 1.3586. This is the current level of the Bollinger mid-average and this giving way on a closing basis may in turn lead to further attempts at price strength to challenge 1.3789, the July 1st high again.
The material provided here has not been prepared accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research, we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.
Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
Global risk Warning CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFD
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.
Global risk Warning CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFD
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.