GBP/USD Continues to Navigate DownAnd it remains bearish, targeting $1.23.
Short-Term Price Action Sub $1.24
Despite efforts to shape support from the $1.24 region, recent hours witnessed price elbow beneath the psychological level. This followed a near-pip-perfect H1 AB=CD harmonic bearish formation taking form at $1.2467 (denoted by a 100% projection ratio), a base that was bolstered by a H1 trendline support-turned-resistance taken from the low $1.2392. Downside support can be seen nearby at $1.2356, with a break paving the way for follow-through selling towards $1.23.
GBP/USD is losing ground as traders react to inflation reports from UK. Inflation Rate declined from 10.1% in March to 8.7% in April, compared to analyst consensus of 8.2%. Core Inflation Rate increased from 6.2% to 6.8%, so the BoE will have to raise rates at the next meeting to fight inflation.
In case GBP/USD settles below the support at 1.2345, it will move towards the next support level at 1.2300. A successful test of this level will push GBP/USD towards the support at 1.2275.
R1:1.2370 – R2:1.2410 – R3:1.2440
S1:1.2345 – S2:1.2300 – S3:1.2275
View from Higher Timeframes Show Scope for Further Downside
The bigger picture continues to put forth a bearish bias. The weekly timeframe recently tested a major long-term trendline resistance drawn from the high of $1.4250, placing weekly support at $1.1851 in view as a potential long-term support target.
Aiding the weekly timeframe’s resistance, an additional layer of resistance made its way into the frame at $1.2638 on the daily chart in mid-May. This has positioned daily support at $1.2272 on the radar and pulled the Relative Strength Index (RSI) south of the 50.00 centreline towards indicator support at 37.78.
In the United Kingdom, the most important categories in the consumer price index are Transport (16 percent of the total weight) and Recreation and Culture (15 percent). Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels accounts for 13 percent; Restaurants and Hotels for 12 percent and Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages for 10 percent. The index also includes: Miscellaneous Goods and Services (9 percent); Clothing and Footwear (7 percent); Furniture, Household Equipment and Maintenance (6 percent). Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco; Health, Communication and Education account for remaining 11 percent of total weight.
The consumer price inflation in the UK fell to 8.7% year-on-year in April 2023, the lowest since March 2022, due to a sharp slowdown in electricity and gas prices. Still, the inflation rate exceeded market expectations of 8.2% and remained well above the Bank of England's target of 2.0%. Housing & utilities inflation dropped to 12.3% from 26.1% in March, with the cost for electricity, gas & other fuels increasing 24.3%, compared with 85.6% the month before. Prices have also advanced at a slower pace for restaurants & hotels (10.2% vs 11.3%) and furniture, household equipment & maintenance (7.5% vs 8.0%). Meanwhile, food & non-alcoholic beverages inflation remained close to March's record high (19.0% vs 19.1%), while cost accelerated for transport (1.5% vs 0.8%), recreation & culture (6.3% vs 4.6%) and miscellaneous goods & services (6.8% vs 6.7%). The core rate, which excludes food and energy, jumped to 6.8%, the highest since March 1992 and above well forecasts of 6.2%.
Given the scope to post additional underperformance, GBP/USD is likely to cross beneath H1 support from $1.2356 and target $1.23, followed by daily support mentioned above at $1.2272. A H1 close lower, therefore, could ignite breakout selling.
