GBP/USD attracts some sellers as Hormuz risks act as a tailwind for the safe-haven USD.
The divergent BoE-Fed policy expectations favor bulls and act as a tailwind for spot prices.
Traders also seem reluctant and opt to wait for the crucial US consumer inflation figures.
The GBP/USD pair drifts lower during the Asian session on Friday, though it lacks follow-through selling and remains close to its highest level since late February, set earlier this week. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3420-1.3415 region and seem poised to register strong weekly gains as investors now look to the latest US consumer inflation figures for a fresh impetus.
The crucial US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is expected to show that inflation likely rose further in March amid the war-driven surge in Crude Oil prices. This could further discourage the US Federal Reserve (Fed) from cutting interest rates for a while. Adding to this, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz offer some support to the US Dollar (USD), which is seen as a key factor exerting some pressure on the GBP/USD pair.
Iran halted shipping traffic through the strategic waterway in response to brutal Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Adding to this, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of doing a very poor job of handling oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and that it was not the agreement they had. Trump also warned of renewed strikes if the Iran deal fails. This suggests that escalation risks remain on the table and supports Crude Oil prices.
Meanwhile, traders have sharply reduced Bank of England (BoE) rate hike bets and are now pricing in roughly 30-40 basis points (bps) of increases by the year-end. This still marks a significant divergence in comparison to the Fed’s signal for one interest rate reduction by the end of this year and another in 2027. This, in turn, favors the GBP/USD bulls and warrants some caution before positioning for any further losses.
GBP/USD consolidates around 1.3400 as Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon renew Middle East war uncertainty.
Iran’s Qalibaf warns that the US has violated three clauses of the 10-point proposal.
Investors await the US CPI data for March, which will be released on Friday.
The Pound Sterling trades in a tight range around 1.3400 against the US Dollar (USD) during the Asian trading session on Thursday. The GBP/USD pair consolidates as investors doubt over the sustainability of the ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran on early Wednesday in the wake of continued attacks by Israel on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In response, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it would be “unreasonable” to continue permanent ceasefire talks with the US as it has violated three clauses of the 10-point proposal so far.
This has renewed fears of a prolonged war in the Middle East, weighing on risk-sensitive assets. As of writing, S&P 500 futures are down 0.2% to near 6,770. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades marginally higher to near 99.05.
On the macro front, investors await the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for March, which will be released on Friday. The data is expected to show that the headline CPI grew at a faster pace of 3.3% Year-on-Year (YoY) against the prior reading of 2.4%.
GBP/USD technical analysis
GBP/USD trades sideways around 1.3400 in Thursday’s Asian session. The pair holds a modest bullish bias as spot remains above the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.3325, suggesting downside attempts would be absorbed near that dynamic floor.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 54 leans slightly positive, hinting that buyers retain the near-term initiative while momentum improves gradually.
On the downside, immediate support is located at the 20-day EMA around 1.3325, where a break would weaken the constructive tone and expose a deeper pullback. With no nearby technical resistances from the provided dataset, further gains would likely meet selling interest at prior swing highs on the broader chart, though the current structure leaves the path of least resistance tilted to the upside as long as price holds above the 1.3325 area.
GBP/USD rises as the US Dollar weakens on reduced safe-haven demand after a US-Iran two-week ceasefire.
Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, conditional on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Iran ceasefire lowers oil prices, easing inflation pressures and giving the BoE room to resume policy easing.
GBP/USD extends its winning streak for the third consecutive day, trading around 1.3400 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) declines on decreased safe-haven demand after the United States (US) and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire.
However, the GBP/USD pair’s upside may be limited as the Pound Sterling (GBP) could struggle after the US-Iran ceasefire eased oil prices, dampening inflation pressures and giving the Bank of England (BoE) room to resume easing. Prior to the conflict, markets had priced in two to three rate cuts for 2026, expectations that were later erased by the energy-driven inflation shock.
US President Donald Trump shared in a post on Truth Social late Tuesday that he’d agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. A White House official said that Israel has also agreed to the ceasefire.
Moreover, an Iranian official said that negotiations with the US will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, to finalize details, aiming to confirm Iran’s battlefield achievements politically within a maximum of 15 days. Iran added that the meeting will begin on Friday and may be extended if both sides agree.
However, Iranian attacks continue in the Middle East and Israel as missile alerts keep sounding. The Israeli military said it has identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel. The Qatar Defence Ministry also confirmed that armed forces intercepted the missile attack targeting Qatar.
Facts: The price bounced off the upper limit of 1:1 structure at 1.9255 GBPAUD sits below the 100-period moving average form H4 interval
Recommendation: Trade: Short position on GBPAUD at market price Target: 1.8765, 1.8518 Stop: 1.9475
Opinion: Looking at the GBPAUD chart at the H4 interval, one can see that the price bounced off the key resistance today. The price bounced off the resistance marked with the upper limit of 1:1 structure at 1.9255. According to the Overbalance strategy, as long as the price sits below the aforementioned resistance, the main trend remains downward. In addition the price sits below the 100-period moving average from the H4 interval which also confirms the bearish scenario. We recommend going short GBPAUD at market price with two targets: 1.8765 and 1.8518. We also recommend placing a stop loss order at 1.9475 Source: xStation5
Euro maintains a moderate near-term bias, with bears looking at the 0.8700 area.
Eurozone’s services activity for March has been revised up, yet at levels well below February’s.
UK services sector grew at its slowest pace of the last 11 months in March.
The Euro (EUR) extends losses against the British Pound (GBP) for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, approaching the bottom of its near-term horizontal range at 0.8700, from Monday’s highs at 0.8735.
The pair has been unfazed by the moderate upward revision of the Eurozone’s HCOB Services Purchasing Managers’ Index figures, which were revised up on Tuesday.
Mixed Eurozone services data
Business activity in the countries sharing the Euro expanded at a 50.2 pace, according to final estimations, an inch higher than the 50.1 preliminary reading but well below the 51.9 reading seen in February.
Spain’s services sector has been the main driver of the revision, with business activity rising to 53.3 from Flash estimates of 51.9. The numbers for the region’s stronger economies, however, have disappointed, as France’s sector contracted for the third consecutive month and Germany’s expansion was revised down to 50.9 from 51.2 preliminary estimation and 53.5 in February.
In the UK, the S&P Global Services PMI has also been revised down to 50.5 in March, its slowest growing pace in almost a year, from flash estimations of a 51.0 reading and 53.9 in February.
These figures reflect the strong economic impact of the war in Iran on the Eurozone and UK economies, the day when US President Donald Trump’s deadline on Tehran expires. Investors are holding their breath after Trump threatened to “demolish” Iran’s bridges and energy plants, refusing claims against war crimes
EUR/GBP holds steady near 0.8720 in Tuesday’s early European session.
ECB hawkish tone could underpin the Euro against the Pound Sterling.
Bank of England is anticipated to hold rates this year, according to a Reuters poll.
The EUR/GBP cross trades on a flat note around 0.8720 during the early European session on Tuesday. Traders will take more cues from the Eurozone Retail Sales and German inflation data, which are due later this week. These reports could offer some cues about the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate path this year.
Meanwhile, the Euro (EUR) could receive some support from the hawkish tone of the European Central Bank (ECB). ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasizied that policy will remain restrictive until inflation sustainably returns to the 2% target.
Additionally, ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said last week that the central bank’s next interest rate move will very likely be an increase although it is still too early to say when it will start hiking. Markets have priced in 2–3 interest rate hikes for 2026 due to surging energy-driven inflation, a significant shift from previous expectations of holding rates.
The Bank of England (BoE) has shifted from a bias toward cutting rates to a “wait-and-see” stance. The UK central bank is expected to hold Bank Rate at 3.75% for the rest of the year, according to a narrow majority of economists polled by Reuters who have mostly abandoned their previous expectations for cuts but have not followed financial markets in expecting nearly three rate rises this year.
GBP/USD depreciates as the US Dollar strengthens on increased risk aversion linked to geopolitical tensions.
President Trump said Iran’s ceasefire proposal was “not good enough” ahead of his Hormuz Strait deadline.
BoE policymakers shifted to holding policy rates amid rising energy costs from the Middle East conflict.
GBP/USD pares its recent gains from the previous day, trading around 1.3220 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair depreciates as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground amid increased risk aversion, which could be attributed to the Middle East peace truce uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the latest proposal for a US ceasefire with Iran is “not good enough” ahead of his deadline for Iran to either reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump said, adding, “They’re negotiating now, and they’ve made a very significant step. We’ll see what happens.”
Traders keep a close watch on US President Donald Trump’s deadline concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that he could target Iranian power plants and bridges unless his demands are met by 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed on Monday that the US Services PMI eased to 54.0 in March from 56.1 in February. The figure came in below expectations of 55.0, signaling a slight loss of momentum in the sector.
The Bank of England (BoE) policymakers, including Sarah Breeden and Swati Dhingra, shifted from supporting cuts to holding rates amid rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict, while warning CPI inflation could rise to 3%–3.5% in the coming quarters.
GBP/USD rises as ceasefire speculation weighs on the US Dollar.
Softer US services data added pressure on the Greenback.
Traders now await US inflation, jobless claims and Fed minutes.
The British Pound (GBP) advances by over 0.40% on Monday as US President Donald Trump said the Tuesday deadline he has set for Iran to make a deal is final, while rumors of a possible de-escalation weighed on the US Dollar (USD). GBP/USD trades around the 1.3240 figure at the time of writing.
Sterling gains as ceasefire rumors lift mood, soften Greenback
Risk appetite improved on Monday after Axios reported that US and Israeli officials, along with regional mediators, are discussing a 45-day ceasefire that could be extended if needed. Investors cheered the news, as depicted by US equities posting gains of 0.15% to 0.52%.
Data from the US showed that business activity deteriorated, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), as the Services PMI in March slipped from 56.1 to 54, below economists’ forecasts of 55. The Prices Paid sub-component of the PMI rose to its highest level since October 2022, coming at 70.7, sparked by the rise of oil and fuel costs, commented Steve Miller, the Chair of the ISM’s Services Business Survey Committee.
Last week, strong US jobs data posted the largest job gains in 15 months and a dip in the Unemployment Rate. Nonfarm Payrolls rose by 178K in March, exceeding estimates of 60K. Meanwhile, the Unemployment Rate fell to 4.3% from 4.4% in February.
Consequently, expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut rates are none, according to data from Prime Market Terminal, which reflects that the Fed funds rate will remain in the 3.50%-3.75% range, steady in 2026.
Fed interest rate probabilities
Source: Prime Market Terminal
Traders’ eyes will be on the release of US inflation figures, jobless claims, and the Federal Reserve’s last meeting minutes.
GBP/USD Price Forecast: Technical Outlook
In the daily chart, GBP/USD trades at 1.3239. The near-term bias is mildly bearish as spot holds below the downward-sloping resistance trend line from 1.3869 and trades under the clustered simple moving averages near 1.3500, which now cap the upside. The persistent rejection along that descending line, combined with price pressure below the 50–100–200-day group, signals sellers retaining control, even as the longer-term rising support trend line from 1.3035 still prevents a steeper breakdown.
Initial resistance is now at 1.3320, where recent rebounds have stalled beneath the descending trend line, followed by 1.3435 and the moving-average zone around 1.35. A daily close above that 1.35 area would be needed to dilute the current bearish tone and reopen 1.3600. On the downside, immediate support is seen at 1.3187, with 1.3130 and the rising trend line from 1.3035 below; a clean break under that trend support would confirm a deeper bearish extension toward 1.3050.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Pound Sterling Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of British Pound (GBP) against listed major currencies today. British Pound was the strongest against the US Dollar.
USD
EUR
GBP
JPY
CAD
AUD
NZD
CHF
USD
-0.23%
-0.28%
0.02%
-0.22%
-0.33%
-0.45%
-0.25%
EUR
0.23%
-0.03%
0.24%
0.00%
-0.13%
-0.25%
-0.05%
GBP
0.28%
0.03%
0.25%
0.00%
-0.09%
-0.22%
0.00%
JPY
-0.02%
-0.24%
-0.25%
-0.23%
-0.36%
-0.49%
-0.28%
CAD
0.22%
-0.00%
-0.01%
0.23%
-0.10%
-0.23%
-0.02%
AUD
0.33%
0.13%
0.09%
0.36%
0.10%
-0.14%
0.09%
NZD
0.45%
0.25%
0.22%
0.49%
0.23%
0.14%
0.23%
CHF
0.25%
0.05%
-0.01%
0.28%
0.02%
-0.09%
-0.23%
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the British Pound from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent GBP (base)/USD (quote).
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