GBP/USD – Steady as UK Posts Mixed Employment Data

The British pound has stabilized after Tuesday’s sharp losses, trading in the low-1.59 range on Wednesday. On the release front, the Average Earnings Index improved to 0.7%. Employment numbers were a mix, as Claimant Count Change missed expectations, while the unemployment rate surprised with a drop to 6.0%. In the US, we’ll get a look at US releases after a quiet start to the week. There are three key events on the calendar – Retail Sales, Core Retail Sales and PPI.

In the UK, the Average Earnings Index edged up to 0.7%, matching the estimate. This was a four-month high for the indicator, which is an important indicator of consumer inflation. On the employment front, Claimant Count Change continues to drop, but the reading of -18.6 thousand was well of the forecast of -34.2 thousand. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dropped from 6.2% to 6.0%, its lowest level since November 2008. Strong employment numbers is a sign of a healthy economy and could give a boost to the wobbly British pound.

British CPI, the primary gauge of consumer inflation, continues to lose ground. The index dropped to 1.2%, a five-year low and short of the estimate of 1.4%. Core CPI and PPI Input also missed their estimates, as inflation indicators continue to point downwards. The weak CPI reading gives Governor Mark Carney more breathing room to maintain current interest rate levels, and investors responded to the news by dumping their pound holdings on Tuesday. There is growing sentiment that the BoE could delay a rate hike until the second half of 2014, with inflationary pressures continuing to recede.

The US dollar has run roughshod over the pound, gaining almost 7 cents in the past six weeks. The dollar rally was halted briefly thanks to last week’s FOMC minutes, which were unexpectedly dovish. In the minutes, the Fed poured some cold water on rising expectations of a rate hike, as a number of policymakers said that the Federal Reserve should take a more data-dependent approach regarding a rate hike. The Fed also voiced concern about the rising strength of the US dollar which could weigh on the recovery. On the weekend, FOMC member Stanley Fischer said that the Fed could slow tightening if global growth is weaker than expected. Strong US numbers have raised expectations about a rate hike, but the Fed appears to be taking a cautious approach towards the timing of a rate hike. Still, with QE set to wind up by the end of the month, rising speculation about higher rates bodes well for the US dollar.

 

GBP/USD for Wednesday, October 15, 2014

GBP/USD October 15 at 12:15 GMT

GBP/USD 1.5921 H: 1.5938 L: 1.5878

 

GBP/USD Technical

S3 S2 S1 R1 R2 R3
1.5644 1.5717 1.5864 1.6000 1.6141 1.6263

 

  • GBP/USD has been uneventful in the Asian and European sessions.
  • The round number of 1.6000 is the next resistance line.
  • 1.5864 is providing support.
  • Current range: 1.5864 to 1.6000.

Further levels in both directions:

  • Below: 1.5864, 1.5717, 1.5644 and 1.5460
  • Above: 1.6000, 1.6141, 1.6263, 1.6382 and 1.6484

 

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

GBP/USD ratio is pointing to gains in long positions. This is consistent with the pair’s movement, as the pound has posted small gains. The ratio has a majority of long positions, indicative of trader bias towards the pound moving higher.

 

GBP/USD Fundamentals

  • 8:30 British Average Earnings Index. Estimate 0.7%. Actual 0.7%.
  • 8:30 British Claimant Count Change. Estimate -34.2K. Actual -18.6K.
  • 8:30 British Unemployment Rate. Estimate 6.1%. Actual 6.0%.
  • 12:30 US Core Retail Sales. Estimate 0.2%.
  • 12:30 US PPI. Estimate 0.1%.
  • 12:30 US Retail Sales. Estimate -0.1%.
  • 12:30 US Core PPI. Estimate 0.1%.
  • 12:30 US Empire State Manufacturing Index. Estimate 20.3 points.
  • 14:00 US Business Inventories. Estimate 0.4%.
  • 18:00 US Beige Book.
  • 18:00 US Federal Budget Balance. Estimate 82.3B.

* Key releases are in highlighted bold.

*All release times are GMT

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher

Market Analyst at OANDA
A highly experienced financial market analyst with a focus on fundamental analysis, Kenneth Fisher’s daily commentary covers a broad range of markets including forex, equities and commodities. His work has been published in several major online financial publications including Investing.com, Seeking Alpha and FXStreet. Based in Israel, Kenny has been a MarketPulse contributor since 2012.