GBPUSD: Post-FOMC optimism remains intact despite pre-BoE retreat
GBPUSD consolidates Fed-induced gains as traders await monetary policy announcements from the Bank of England (BoE). That said, the Cable pair reached a fresh 30-month high after the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 0.50% rate cut that drowned the US Dollar across the board.
Buyers stay optimist
Although the Pound Sterling struggles to hold at a 2.5-month high, not to forget its failure to provide sustained breakout of a month-old horizontal resistance, the quote defends the mid-month breakout of a descending resistance line from late August, now support. Also keeping buyers hopeful is the pair’s recent rebound from the 100-SMA and steady RSI conditions.
It’s worth noting, however, that the bearish MACD signals and a likely status-quo of the BoE could join the key upside hurdle to challenge the bulls.
Technical levels to watch
For GBPUSD buyers, the immediate resistance to watch is a month-old range between 1.3230 and 1.3240 if the BoE sounds hawkish. After that, the focus will shift to the 1.3300 level. If the Cable price stays above 1.3300, the 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci Extension (FE) levels around 1.3305 and 1.3375 could attract buyers.
On the flip side, GBPUSD sellers need a clear break below the 1.3150-45 support zone, which includes the 100-SMA and a month-old previous resistance line, to weaken buyer’s confidence. If they succeed, the next tests will be the 1.3100 level and the 200-SMA at 1.3025, as well as the key psychological level of 1.3000.
Upward bias seems favorable
Whether due to an expected hawkish pause from the BoE or the market's response to the Fed's dovish surprise, along with GBPUSD trading above the 1.3150-45 resistance-turned-support, the pair is likely to stay bullish unless the UK central bank surprises traders.
