With the Bank of England's (BoE) interest rate decision on the horizon, let's examine recent developments in GBPUSD, primarily through the lens of fundamental analysis.
Chart analysis reveals that recent GBPUSD fluctuations have been largely influenced by the US dollar's strength, fueled by the Fed's increasingly hawkish stance. Although a September rate cut by the Fed is still widely anticipated, recent commentary and revised dot plot projections suggest a more cautious approach, bolstering the dollar's bullish momentum.
US Dollar Strength: Not Just About Rate Cuts
The US dollar's resilience, despite the expected rate cut, can be attributed to several factors. The September cut was already priced into the market, and the Fed's surprisingly hawkish tone has prompted a reassessment of the likelihood of further easing. Until clear signs of cooling inflation and a looser labor market emerge in the US, the dollar's upward trajectory is likely to persist. The CME FedWatch Tool, which forecasts rate movements based on fed funds futures trading data, currently shows a higher probability of a rate cut in September than before the recent CPI data release. This suggests that the market is still weighing the Fed's intentions carefully.
UK Inflation on Target: A Dovish BoE Unlikely
Yesterday's UK inflation data, which met the BoE's 2% target, might not lead to an immediate shift towards a dovish monetary policy. Market consensus anticipates a rate hold at 5.25% in today's BoE meeting (most analysts and economists predict the first rate cut to occur in August). However, the BoE's forward guidance will be critical. Hawkish commentary regarding inflation, robust wage growth, or a tight labor market could temporarily strengthen the pound.
Short-Term & Mid-Term Outlook: A Bullish Pound Faces Headwinds
In the short term, a hawkish BoE could potentially drive GBPUSD back towards the 1.28 level. However, a sustained bullish momentum is unlikely, with a mid-term target of 1.26 seeming more plausible. This is because even with a hawkish stance, the UK's inflation and labor market appear better positioned for easing compared to the US, suggesting the BoE may be forced to adopt a dovish stance sooner than the Fed.
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