GBPUSD traded to an 8-month high on Tuesday at 1.3424, as a new wave of dollar selling swept across FX markets at the start of the week. This time driven by fresh uncertainty surrounding US economic growth and by a barrage of social media comments across the Easter Holiday period from President Trump that seemed to challenge the independence of the Federal Reserve.
Now, as we look ahead to the remainder of the week, UK economic data is in focus, with the latest April Preliminary PMI Manufacturing and Services readings released at 0930 BST on Wednesday. These are potentially the first survey updates that will start to show the impact of US tariffs on UK economic growth, business sentiment and inflation, making them potentially important drivers for the future direction of GBPUSD.
They could also shed some light on whether the Bank of England may be able to cut interest rates, as many traders hope, at their next interest rate meeting at the start of May.
Then, on Friday, UK Retail Sales are released at 0700 BST. This release will be important in showing if UK consumers are still spending despite rising unemployment and stubbornly high prices. If they are, this may be taken as a positive for the UK economy and for GBPUSD, while any disappointment could lead to GBPUSD retesting lower levels again.
Technical Update: September 2024 Highs a Key Resistance Focus
So far during 2025, GBPUSD has seen a price recovery of nearly 11%, although as already discussed, this may be due more to broad based USD weakness, rather than outright GBP strength.
Even so, latest upside has neared 1.3434, the September 2024 failure level, which may prove something of a line in the sand this week. Closing defense of 1.3434 may help determine where next directional risks lie.
Much appears to depend on this week’s UK data and reaction to it, but traders may also be focusing on how the 1.3433 failure high is defended on a closing basis. Successful breaks may lead to a more sustained phase of price strength, but without such moves, risks could turn lower again.
However, what are the levels we may need to monitor over coming sessions?
Possible Resistance Levels:
As we have established, traders after what has already been a strong recovery, may view the 1.3433 high as important, with closing breaks required to suggest risks to continue attempts to push to higher price levels.
If closing breaks of 1.3433 do now materialise, it might be an indication of potential to challenge 1.3640, the February 2022 high, even towards 1.3748, equal to the January 10th 2022 rejection level.
Possible Support Levels:
With the 1.3433 price high remaining intact, Tuesday’s weakness from this area could now see focus shift back to support. If these give way, it might in turn point to possibilities of a deeper retracement of April strength.
The first support may now prove to be 1.3313, equal to half the April 17th to April 22nd strength, with closing breaks perhaps suggesting further downside pressure. This could suggest possibilities towards 1.3148/1.3203, a combination of the April 7th low and 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April phase of price strength.
The material provided here has not been prepared in 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.
The material provided here has not been prepared in 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.
Now, as we look ahead to the remainder of the week, UK economic data is in focus, with the latest April Preliminary PMI Manufacturing and Services readings released at 0930 BST on Wednesday. These are potentially the first survey updates that will start to show the impact of US tariffs on UK economic growth, business sentiment and inflation, making them potentially important drivers for the future direction of GBPUSD.
They could also shed some light on whether the Bank of England may be able to cut interest rates, as many traders hope, at their next interest rate meeting at the start of May.
Then, on Friday, UK Retail Sales are released at 0700 BST. This release will be important in showing if UK consumers are still spending despite rising unemployment and stubbornly high prices. If they are, this may be taken as a positive for the UK economy and for GBPUSD, while any disappointment could lead to GBPUSD retesting lower levels again.
Technical Update: September 2024 Highs a Key Resistance Focus
So far during 2025, GBPUSD has seen a price recovery of nearly 11%, although as already discussed, this may be due more to broad based USD weakness, rather than outright GBP strength.
Even so, latest upside has neared 1.3434, the September 2024 failure level, which may prove something of a line in the sand this week. Closing defense of 1.3434 may help determine where next directional risks lie.
Much appears to depend on this week’s UK data and reaction to it, but traders may also be focusing on how the 1.3433 failure high is defended on a closing basis. Successful breaks may lead to a more sustained phase of price strength, but without such moves, risks could turn lower again.
However, what are the levels we may need to monitor over coming sessions?
Possible Resistance Levels:
As we have established, traders after what has already been a strong recovery, may view the 1.3433 high as important, with closing breaks required to suggest risks to continue attempts to push to higher price levels.
If closing breaks of 1.3433 do now materialise, it might be an indication of potential to challenge 1.3640, the February 2022 high, even towards 1.3748, equal to the January 10th 2022 rejection level.
Possible Support Levels:
With the 1.3433 price high remaining intact, Tuesday’s weakness from this area could now see focus shift back to support. If these give way, it might in turn point to possibilities of a deeper retracement of April strength.
The first support may now prove to be 1.3313, equal to half the April 17th to April 22nd strength, with closing breaks perhaps suggesting further downside pressure. This could suggest possibilities towards 1.3148/1.3203, a combination of the April 7th low and 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the April phase of price strength.
The material provided here has not been prepared in 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.
The material provided here has not been prepared in 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.