In Thursday's Asian session, the GBP/USD currency pair is showing a moderate correction, trading near the 1.3285 mark, after steady growth since the beginning of the month. The decline in quotations is due to weak UK macroeconomic statistics published the day before.
The latest data on business activity indices in the UK for April turned out to be worse than market expectations. The indicator of activity in the manufacturing sector decreased from 44.9 to 44.0 points, reaching the lowest level in the last few years. For the first time since the beginning of the year, the services sector went below the growth level, dropping from 52.5 to 48.9 points, while the composite index fell to 48.2 points. Given this dynamic, which is related, among other things, to the effect of the trade tariffs imposed by the United States, market participants are anticipating the likelihood of monetary policy easing by the Bank of England at the next meeting.
An additional factor of uncertainty was the negotiations between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. According to Bloomberg, London is counting on an agreement that will provide an easing of some tariffs, in particular in agriculture, and a reduction in the tax on digital services.
US currency: moderate correction after volatility
The dollar index (USDX) adjusted to the level of 99.40 against the background of a multidirectional fundamental picture, retreating from local highs. Despite this, the real estate sector in the United States continues to show signs of recovery: the number of building permits increased from 1,459 to 1,467 million in March, and new home sales jumped to 724 thousand, reaching their highest since September, indicating an increase in consumer demand in this segment.
Technical analysis of GBP/USD for today
On the daily timeframe, the GBP/USD pair is trading below the upper limit of the ascending channel, which runs in the range of 1.3350–1.2900. Distribution accumulation indicators indicate a possible weakening of the upward momentum.
The EMA of the alligator indicator is approaching the signal line, and the Awesome Oscillator histogram shows a series of decreasing bars, but remains in the positive zone.
Trading recommendations
We are considering sales with a steady decline and consolidation of the price below the level of 1.3220 with benchmarks in the area of 1.3000. We plan to place the stop loss at 1.3300.
To form long positions, it is worth waiting for the growth and consolidation of quotes above 1.3330 with the potential to move to 1.3520. It is advisable to set the stop loss at 1.3250.