GBP/USD Rises Near 1.2540 After Surging to 1.2575 on Thursday
The GBP/USD exchange rate is trading closely around the 1.2540 level after experiencing a short-term surge to its highest point in 10 weeks, driven by an unexpected uptick in the UK Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data on Thursday. The pair spent the latter part of the trading day navigating through a significantly restricted market due to subdued Thanksgiving holiday activity in the US.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart has maintained above 50, indicating that Wednesday's decline was a technical correction rather than the start of a reversal. However, GBP/USD continues to trade near the upper limit of the upward regression channel, and buyers may choose to exercise caution before betting on additional profits in the near future.
On the upside, 1.2550 (static level) is considered the first resistance before 1.2600 (Fibonacci 50% retracement level from the July to October downtrend) and 1.2670 (static level from August).
In the event of a retreat below 1.2500 (psychological level, upper limit of the upward regression channel), 1.2450 (50-period Simple Moving Average on the 4-hour chart, static level) could be viewed as the next support level before 1.2400 (psychological level, midpoint of the upward regression channel). GBP/USD dropped to 1.2450 in Wednesday's US trading session, closing in the negative territory, ending a three-day consecutive uptrend. Improved risk sentiment and optimistic UK PMI data helped the pair regain traction and stabilize above 1.2500 on Thursday.
The US Dollar strengthened midweek as US Treasury bond yields recovered following weekly data that showed initial jobless claims dropping to the lowest since early October at 209,000.
The UK's autumn statement did not elicit a significant market reaction as investors were already informed about the budget proposal details. Commenting on the potential impact of the planned tax cuts for the British Pound, analysts Ulrich Leuchtmann and Tatha Ghose of Commerzbank noted that "lower taxes and public spending might be welcomed by Labour Party voters due to the impacts on individuals, but I find it hard to believe that forex traders and/or a large portion of voters will buy into the Laffer curve," stating that the tax plans may not be interpreted as a positive factor for GBP in this case.
Meanwhile, the S&P Global/CIPS Composite PMI in the UK improved to 50.1 in the preliminary estimate for November from 48.7 in October, providing a boost for the British Pound. This reading indicates private sector business activity has expanded beyond the contraction territory. Assessing the survey results, Dr. John Glen, CIPS Director, noted, "November data shows encouraging signs of calmer waters ahead for the UK economy, although there are still signs that we have a short way to go before fully weathering the inflationary storm." Additionally, Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI rose to 46.7 and 50.5, respectively.
Market dynamics are expected to ease in the latter part of the day, with trading volumes tapering off on Thanksgiving Day in the US.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart has maintained above 50, indicating that Wednesday's decline was a technical correction rather than the start of a reversal. However, GBP/USD continues to trade near the upper limit of the upward regression channel, and buyers may choose to exercise caution before betting on additional profits in the near future.
On the upside, 1.2550 (static level) is considered the first resistance before 1.2600 (Fibonacci 50% retracement level from the July to October downtrend) and 1.2670 (static level from August).
In the event of a retreat below 1.2500 (psychological level, upper limit of the upward regression channel), 1.2450 (50-period Simple Moving Average on the 4-hour chart, static level) could be viewed as the next support level before 1.2400 (psychological level, midpoint of the upward regression channel). GBP/USD dropped to 1.2450 in Wednesday's US trading session, closing in the negative territory, ending a three-day consecutive uptrend. Improved risk sentiment and optimistic UK PMI data helped the pair regain traction and stabilize above 1.2500 on Thursday.
The US Dollar strengthened midweek as US Treasury bond yields recovered following weekly data that showed initial jobless claims dropping to the lowest since early October at 209,000.
The UK's autumn statement did not elicit a significant market reaction as investors were already informed about the budget proposal details. Commenting on the potential impact of the planned tax cuts for the British Pound, analysts Ulrich Leuchtmann and Tatha Ghose of Commerzbank noted that "lower taxes and public spending might be welcomed by Labour Party voters due to the impacts on individuals, but I find it hard to believe that forex traders and/or a large portion of voters will buy into the Laffer curve," stating that the tax plans may not be interpreted as a positive factor for GBP in this case.
Meanwhile, the S&P Global/CIPS Composite PMI in the UK improved to 50.1 in the preliminary estimate for November from 48.7 in October, providing a boost for the British Pound. This reading indicates private sector business activity has expanded beyond the contraction territory. Assessing the survey results, Dr. John Glen, CIPS Director, noted, "November data shows encouraging signs of calmer waters ahead for the UK economy, although there are still signs that we have a short way to go before fully weathering the inflationary storm." Additionally, Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI rose to 46.7 and 50.5, respectively.
Market dynamics are expected to ease in the latter part of the day, with trading volumes tapering off on Thanksgiving Day in the US.
