GBP/USD Price Analysis – Aug 31, 2023

Daily Price Outlook

Despite the UK’s business confidence improving and Bank of England Chief Economist Huw delivering a hawkish commentary, the GBP/USD currency pair failed to maintain its bullish trend and dropped to the 1.2675 level on the day. The Pound Sterling (GBP) initially demonstrates a corrective move as investors seek fresh cues about the interest rate peak from the Bank of England (BoE) for further guidance. However, the gains were short-lived as the bullish US dollar. backed by the hopes of one more interest rate hike from the Fed, kept the currency pair down.

Impact of Hawkish BoE Comments on GBP/USD

It is worth noting that Pound Sterling slipped below the 1.2700 support level following hawkish comments from Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill. Despite the BoE's intention to raise interest rates further in September due to elevated inflation, the currency dropped. Investors anticipate the 15th consecutive rate hike of 25 basis points, pushing rates to 5.5%. However, concerns arise about the UK's weakening demand environment due to aggressive policy tightening by the central bank. Sectors like construction, manufacturing, and housing are feeling the impact. Despite this, a Lloyds Bank survey showed a 10-point rise in business confidence in August. The GBP/USD pair may experience heightened volatility as market participants gauge the effect of these developments on the pound's value against the US dollar.

Impact on GBP/USD Amid Mixed US Labor Market Data

Furthermore, the market sentiment remains mixed as US firms slowed their hiring in July, with fewer job openings and a lower-than-expected increase in new hires in August. This suggests that the US labor market is losing momentum, potentially leading the Fed to reconsider its rate hike plans. This news has increased the likelihood of the Fed maintaining interest rates at 5.25-5.50% by year-end, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation is becoming more responsive to labor market conditions. The US Dollar Index has found support around 103.00 as hopes for another Fed rate hike diminish.

For GBP/USD, this could mean potential upside as the USD weakens on softer rate hike expectations, but the currency pair's direction will also depend on the upcoming US Nonfarm Payrolls and ISM Manufacturing PMI data to be released on Friday.

GBP/USD - Technical analysis

The GBP/USD pair demonstrated a robust upward surge in the previous session, finding support around the 1.2625 level and successfully reaching the anticipated bullish target at 1.2725. The pair has settled at this level, and our analysis suggests that surpassing this threshold during the morning trading session could pave the way for a continuation of the upward trajectory, aiming for levels around 1.2825 in the near-term perspective.

Consequently, our outlook leans towards a further bullish sentiment in the forthcoming sessions, bolstered by the ascent above the EMA50. It's important to note that a failure to breach the 1.2725 level may halt the positive scenario, potentially triggering a bearish phase targeting the 1.2625 level initially.

The projected trading range for today is expected to extend between the support at 1.2650 and the resistance at 1.2820.