GBP/USD continues to show weak growth around the 1.2695 mark, trying to regain lost positions. However, the activity of buyers remains low.
The pair was influenced by the negative macroeconomic statistics of the United Kingdom. Retail sales fell 3.4% in November after rising 0.3% a month earlier, although analysts had expected an increase to 0.7%. Business activity data was also disappointing: the PMI index for the manufacturing sector fell to 48.0 points, while in the United States, on the contrary, similar indicators improved. Investors' attention today is focused on the index of business activity in the UK services sector. Analysts expect the indicator to be at the level of 50.0 points. In addition, today there will be a speech by the head of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, who can shed light on the prospects for the interest rate.
The situation in the real estate market remains an additional pressure on the pound. According to the Bank of England, a significant proportion of mortgage loan holders predict an increase in interest rates in the coming years, which will lead to an increase in monthly payments. Rising inflation and geopolitical risks also raise concerns about financial stability.
In the USA, data on private sector employment from ADP will be published today (expected to decrease to 150,000), as well as statistics on business activity in the service sector from ISM and S&P Global. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's speech in the evening may affect market expectations for a rate change.
Technical analysis for GBP/USD
On the daily chart, the Bollinger indicator shows horizontal stabilization, but retains the potential for growth. The MACD indicates a buy, but the Stochastic is declining.
- Open long positions with a confident breakout of the key resistance of 1.2700 with a target of 1.2817. We put the stop loss at 1.2650.
- Sales when rebounding from 1.2700 and breaking down the 1.2650 level with a target of 1.2550. In this case, we will set the stop loss at 1.2700.