The British pound has posted gains in Wednesday trade, erasing the losses seen on Tuesday. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3287, up 0.26% on the day. On the release front, U.S numbers were mixed. U.S Preliminary GDP came in at 2.2%, just shy of 2.3%. However, ADP nonfarm payrolls dropped sharply to 178 thousand, well off the estimate of 191 thousand. Later in the day, the U.K releases GfK Consumer Confidence, which is expected to come in at -8 points, indicating weak consumer confidence.
After a sluggish first quarter and with the dark cloud of Brexit creeping ever closer, the health of the British economy is raising alarm bells. Economic growth in the first quarter was weaker than expected, and the unseasonably snowy weather in March cannot explain away the economic slowdown. Inflation has dropped to 2.4%, and the Office for National Statistics had a bleak message about the economy, noting that GDP expanded a negligible 0.1% in the first quarter. At its May meeting, the Bank of England reduced its forecast for growth in 2018 to 1.4%, down from the 1.8% forecast in February. With the May government still mired in trying to sort out the endlessly complex divorce with the European Union, the British pound could continue to face headwinds in the second quarter. A rate hike would boost the currency, but the BoE may be reluctant to make a move – the bank had to backtrack from an expected rate increase earlier in May, and there is growing speculation that we will see a repeat (lack of) performance at the BoE’s August meeting, with the odds of an August rate hike at less than 50 percent.
The markets continue to keep a close eye on the “on-again off-again” summit between the U.S and North Korean leaders. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to meet in Singapore on June 12, but curiously, neither side will confirm whether the meeting is on. Last week, Trump sent a letter to Kim, saying that Trump was canceling the much-anticipated meeting. However, the White House has since sent a team to Singapore and a senior North Korean official is on his way to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. If there is confirmation that the meeting is on, investor risk appetite could rise and boost the US dollar.
GBP/USD Fundamentals
Wednesday (May 30)
- 8:15 US ADP Nonfarm Employment Change. Estimate 191K. Actual 178K
- 8:30 US Preliminary GDP. Estimate 2.3%. Actual 2.2%
- 8:30 US Goods Trade Balance. Estimate -71.2B. Actual -68.2B
- 8:30 US Preliminary GDP Price Index. Estimate 2.0%. Actual 1.9%
- 8:30 US Preliminary Wholesale Inventories. Estimate 0.4%. Actual 0.0%
- 14:00 US Beige Book
- 19:01 British GfK Consumer Confidence. Estimate -8
Thursday (May 31)
- 4:30 British Net Lending to Individuals. Estimate 5.2B
- 8:30 US Core PCE Price Index. Estimate 0.1%
- 8:30 US Personal Spending. Estimate 0.4%
- 8:30 US Unemployment Claims. Estimate 230K
*All release times are DST
*Key events are in bold
GBP/USD for Wednesday, May 30, 2018
GBP/USD May 30 at 12:30 DST
Open: 1.3311 High: 1.3325 Low: 1.3205 Close: 1.3287
GBP/USD Technicals
| S1 | S2 | S1 | R1 | R2 | R3 |
| 1.2965 | 1.3065 | 1.3186 | 1.3301 | 1.3402 | 1.3494 |
GBP/USD was flat in the Asian session. The pair posted gains in the European session and is steady in North American trade
- 1.3186 is providing support
- 1.3301 remains fluid. Currently, it is a week resistance line
- Current range: 1.3186 to 1.3301
Further levels in both directions:
- Below: 1.3186, 1.3065 and 1.2965
- Above: 1.3301, 1.3494, 1.3613 and 1.3712
OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio
GBP/USD ratio is almost unchanged in the Wednesday session. Currently, long positions have a majority (63%), indicative of trader bias towards GBP/USD continuing to move upwards.