empty
11.12.2024 12:37 AM
The UK Economy Slows Down: GBP/USD Analysis

The UK's industrial sector has responded to the new budget presented by the Labour Party with decreased business confidence and slower hiring. While considered secondary indicators with limited direct impact on the pound's exchange rate, several metrics clearly show a slowdown: business confidence in November fell to its lowest level since January 2023, and the BDO optimism index dropped by 5.81 points over the month to 93.49, marking the steepest monthly decline since August 2021. According to BDO, the decline observed in both the services and manufacturing sectors "likely reflects an immediate reaction by businesses to statements made in the autumn budget."

Job vacancies in November fell at the fastest pace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with demand for personnel decreasing "sharply and at an accelerated pace."

On Thursday, the NIESR will release its estimate of GDP growth for November. Friday will be critical for the pound, with the release of data on the trade balance, industrial production, and GDP for October. While these data points may not significantly impact the pound's exchange rate on their own, they are important for forecasting the outcomes of next week's Bank of England (BoE) meeting. Before the BoE meeting, several crucial releases are expected, including preliminary PMI data for December and reports on the labor market and consumer inflation. These reports will serve as the basis for the market's final projections.

This image is no longer relevant

The BoE's decision remains unclear. The market assumes the rate will stay at 4.75%, but policymakers' comments are contradictory. MPC member Catherine Mann argues that inflation in the services sector remains "stubbornly high," driven by wage growth, and has stated she will vote against a rate cut. At the same time, MPC member Swati Dhingra, on the other hand, highlights that monetary policy is restrictive, suppressing supply volumes, investment, and consumption, suggesting that policy easing is needed.

Given these conflicting perspectives, the pound lacks clear drivers for continued growth and has limited reasons for further decline. The bearish trend remains intact, but whether the corrective phase has ended is unclear.

The net long position in GBP has decreased by £169 million to £1.53 billion. Despite this relatively small reduction, the position has moved closer to neutral. The estimated price has fallen significantly below the long-term average, but the decline has slowed over the past week.

This image is no longer relevant

GBP/USD is currently in a phase of corrective growth, which is likely not yet complete. The pair has yet to reach the 1.2830/40 resistance zone, identified as a potential turning point for a southward reversal. While another attempt at growth cannot be ruled out, it is unlikely to be substantial. A more probable scenario is a resumption of the downtrend toward 1.23, the long-term target.

Kuvat Raharjo,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

AUD/USD: Analysis and Forecast

The AUD/USD pair continues its sideways consolidation, remaining within a familiar range near the key psychological level of 0.6300. This movement is driven by several factors impacting global market sentiment

Irina Yanina 11:16 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the EUR/USD pair is consolidating near the key psychological level of 1.0800, showing no intention of retreating below 1.0780 as traders and investors await the release of the U.S

Irina Yanina 10:45 2025-03-28 UTC+2

Markets at a Crossroads Ahead of Tariff Announcement by D. Trump (Possible Decline in CFD Contracts on #SPX and #NDX Futures)

Markets are now fully convinced that the U.S. President will follow through on his plans to implement severe customs tariffs aimed at closing the domestic market and, in doing

Pati Gani 10:39 2025-03-28 UTC+2

Markets Have Found the Culprits

If you don't get it the first time, you will the second. The S&P 500 sell-off, led by U.S. and foreign automaker shares, continued a second day after the imposition

Marek Petkovich 08:19 2025-03-28 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 28? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A fair number of macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but we believe they will likely trigger only a localized market reaction. The UK will publish Q4 GDP data

Paolo Greco 06:26 2025-03-28 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 28: The Pound Barely Fell Before Rising Again

The GBP/USD currency pair traded higher again on Thursday, even though a semblance of a downward correction had begun just a few days earlier. The market had already digested

Paolo Greco 03:00 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 28: Donald Trump Loves Surprises

The EUR/USD currency pair maintained its downward bias on Thursday, although it traded higher throughout the day. Volatility remained low once again, indicating weak market activity. However, traders had enough

Paolo Greco 03:00 2025-03-28 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Trump Sends the Dollar into Knockdown Again

The EUR/USD pair is experiencing a correction following Donald Trump's latest statements, as he has once again reignited the tariff war. Interestingly, the greenback initially reacted positively to the president's

Irina Manzenko 23:44 2025-03-27 UTC+2

Gold Knows the Path to Victory

Gold was not a market favorite following Donald Trump's victory in the November elections. In fact, it pulled back once the red wave became clear and the Republican's return

Marek Petkovich 10:55 2025-03-27 UTC+2

XAU/USD – Analysis and Forecast

Gold continues to hold its intraday gains, trading near the weekly high around the $3036 level. This is due to several factors, including uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy

Irina Yanina 10:44 2025-03-27 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.