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

EUR/USD. The Dollar Is Back in the Saddle. But for How Long?

The greenback is back on top: the U.S. Dollar Index hit a four-week high on Monday, responding to the announcement of a three-month truce in the trade war between

Irina Manzenko 01:01 2025-05-13 UTC+2

China Helped the Dollar Halt Its Decline

The CFTC report released on Friday showed minimal changes in overall currency positioning, with the net USD position against major currencies decreasing by a symbolic $0.1 billion to—$17.2 billion

Kuvat Raharjo 00:24 2025-05-13 UTC+2

The Dollar Takes Time to Saddle Up but Rides Fast

Investors have shifted from the "Sell America" strategy that emerged after the White House imposed tariffs to "Buy America" amid positive developments in U.S.-China trade relations. While the S&P

Marek Petkovich 00:23 2025-05-13 UTC+2

Bitcoin Has Completed Its Minimum Task

Bitcoin has broken above the 100,000 mark, entered a consolidation phase, and confirmed the familiar pattern. Previously, after breaking through psychologically significant levels, the cryptocurrency experiences a period of stagnation

Marek Petkovich 00:23 2025-05-13 UTC+2

Has Common Sense Prevailed? (High probability of #SPX growth and a drop in gold prices)

On Monday, the United States announced "significant progress" in trade talks with China following a two-day meeting in Switzerland over the weekend. Markets reacted to this news with a gap-up

Pati Gani 11:00 2025-05-12 UTC+2

GBP/USD. An Important Week for the Pound

The GBP/USD pair is again under pressure due to the broad strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Last week, the pound attempted to break into the 1.34 zone in reaction

Irina Manzenko 10:49 2025-05-12 UTC+2

The Market Will Face Reality

How quickly things change on the financial markets! Before America's Liberation Day, investors viewed the 10% universal import tariff as disastrous. Now, it's seen as the most favorable option

Marek Petkovich 09:18 2025-05-12 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 12? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are no macroeconomic events scheduled for Monday. Fundamental developments will also be limited, but at this point, it is entirely unclear which factors are influencing price formation. The pound

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-05-12 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Weekly Preview. Prepare for Price Turbulence

The upcoming week promises to be volatile. First, the market will react to the results of the Geneva meeting between representatives of the US and China. Second, key reports

Irina Manzenko 05:34 2025-05-12 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 12: Business as Usual...

The GBP/USD currency pair moved slightly higher on Friday, although the British pound had no real reason to grow that day or throughout the week. Let us recall that

Paolo Greco 03:48 2025-05-12 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.