empty
14.08.2024 12:18 AM
Key labor market and inflation data will reduce uncertainty regarding the pound. Overview of GBP/USD

The Bank of England started its easing cycle on August 1, and the market expects a further 50 basis points cut by the end of the year. The Bank of England's chief economist, Huw Pill, voted against the cut and warned against expecting more rate cuts in the near future. The market considered this and currently assigns less than a 50% probability to a rate cut next month.

Today's agenda includes updated data on the labor market and inflation. Labor market data for July was released this morning, and it turned out to be significantly unexpected. Average wage growth, excluding bonuses, slowed from 5.7% to 5.4%, which seems like good news in terms of slowing inflation. However, forecasts had suggested a fall to 4.6%. Now, the likelihood of a BoE rate cut next month has become even less likely, which is a frankly bullish signal for the pound.

This image is no longer relevant

At the same time, unemployment rose from 4.4% to 4.7%, and the number of jobless claims was 135,000, compared to a forecast of 14.5%. The sharp increase in claims indicates that the economy is closer to a recession than previously thought, and this figure, on the contrary, provides grounds to continue lowering rates.

As we can see, the market received two opposing signals on Tuesday and reacted with only a slight spike in volatility. It seems that significant conclusions will be drawn on Wednesday after the release of the consumer inflation report.

The NIESR Institute, analyzing various statistical data (CPI, PPI, 10-year UK government bond yields, effective GBP exchange rate, BoE bank rate) within its own forecasting model, expects July inflation to be between 2.2% and 2.4%. This is higher than the previous month and aligns with market forecasts. Interestingly, the forecasts suggest that inflation will decrease to 2% in September, which supports further rate cuts, but then, due to accumulated effects, it will rise back to 2.9% by early 2025, which suggests caution regarding rate cuts.

As we can see, the uncertainty is too high to make a definitive forecast. The market balances expectations for the Federal Reserve and BoE rates, which provides a driver for movement in either direction. However, the accumulated uncertainty needs resolution.

This image is no longer relevant

The net long GBP position decreased by $3.0 billion to $5.9 billion over the reporting week. Despite the significant decline, the bullish bias persists, and although the calculated price has lost some momentum, it is still above the long-term average.

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: Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/USD pair is attracting buyers today, breaking a three-day losing streak and attempting to build intraday momentum above the psychological 1.1300 level. This indicates a renewed interest from buyers

Irina Yanina 11:59 2025-05-02 UTC+2

U.S. Labor Market Data Could Be a Major Disappointment

Employment growth in the U.S. likely slowed in April, although the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged, pointing to healthy but moderate demand for labor. However, the Trump administration's

Jakub Novak 10:08 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The ECB Has No Other Choice

The European currency continues to lose ground against the U.S. dollar as traders increasingly place bets on the European Central Bank's upcoming monetary policy decisions. According to data, the chances

Jakub Novak 10:03 2025-05-02 UTC+2

China Has Finally Responded

The euro, the pound, and other risk assets reacted with gains following statements from Chinese authorities that they are assessing the possibility of trade negotiations with the United States—marking

Jakub Novak 09:57 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The Process Has Begun. China Is Ready for Trade Talks (There's a Chance of Renewed Decline in Gold and EUR/USD Prices)

Trading on the last day of the week is unfolding positively. News that China is ready to begin negotiations has inspired investors to buy risk assets and weakened the U.S

Pati Gani 09:43 2025-05-02 UTC+2

The Market Enters Turbulent Waters

The market is confident that tariffs won't materialize or that companies can pass them on to customers. The S&P 500's eight-day rally—its longest since August—strongly hints at this. So does

Marek Petkovich 09:24 2025-05-02 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 2? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Only a few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but some are quite significant. Naturally, the focus is on the U.S. NonFarm Payrolls and unemployment rate, yet it's also important

Paolo Greco 09:14 2025-05-02 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 2: The U.S. Dollar Didn't Rise for Long

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair continued to decline. The dollar had strengthened for three consecutive days—despite having no objective reason. U.S. macroeconomic data has been consistently weak; there were

Paolo Greco 03:50 2025-05-02 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 2: The Dollar Faces a New Collapse – And It's Far from the Last

On Thursday, the EUR/USD currency pair once again traded relatively calmly, but the U.S. dollar failed to show any meaningful growth this time. A little bit of good news goes

Paolo Greco 03:47 2025-05-02 UTC+2

USD/JPY: A Rough Patch for the Yen

At its latest meeting, the Bank of Japan kept all key policy settings unchanged, effectively implementing the most expected baseline scenario—despite earlier conflicting statements from central bank officials

Irina Manzenko 01:19 2025-05-02 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.