Pound Sterling scales higher as USD weakens amid renewed US-Iran peace deal hopes
- GBP/USD gains positive traction for the second straight day amid a broadly weaker USD.
- Hopes for a US-Iran peace deal and fading hawkish Fed bets exert pressure on the buck.
- BoE rate hike expectations act as a tailwind for the GBP and further support spot prices.
The GBP/USD pair attracts buyers for the second consecutive day on Wednesday and moves away from the weekly low, around the 1.3515-1.3510 area, which was touched the previous day. The optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal undermines the safe-haven US Dollar (USD) and lifts spot prices to the 1.3580 region during the Asian session.
US President Donald Trump said that ‘Project Freedom’ – aimed at restoring commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – will be paused for a short period of time to see if the Iran peace deal can be finalised. This comes hours after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the US-Iran ceasefire holds for now and that the US was not seeking to re-escalate tensions with Tehran. The comments lift hopes for a quick resolution of the US-Iran conflict and boost investors’ confidence, prompting some selling around the USD and providing a goodish lift to the GBP/USD pair.
Meanwhile, the latest developments trigger a fresh leg down in Crude Oil prices, which helps ease inflationary concerns and tempers market expectations for a more hawkish US Federal Reserve (Fed). The outlook turns out to be another factor weighing on the Greenback. The British Pound (GBP), on the other hand, draws support from the Bank of England’s (BoE) signal that rate hikes could be appropriate if inflation remains persistent. This further contributes to the GBP/USD pair follow-through move higher and backs the case for a further near-term appreciating move.
Moving ahead, the US ADP report on private-sector employment, along with speeches by influential FOMC members, could provide some impetus later during the early North American session. The key focus, however, will be on the closely-watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday. Apart from this, the incoming geopolitical headlines might continue to infuse volatility across the global financial markets, which will drive the USD and the GBP/USD pair. Nevertheless, the fundamental backdrop suggests that the path of least resistance for spot prices is to the upside.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Canadian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.24% | -0.26% | -0.16% | -0.14% | -0.57% | -0.60% | -0.25% | |
| EUR | 0.24% | -0.03% | 0.09% | 0.10% | -0.32% | -0.39% | -0.01% | |
| GBP | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.11% | 0.13% | -0.29% | -0.35% | 0.04% | |
| JPY | 0.16% | -0.09% | -0.11% | 0.00% | -0.43% | -0.47% | -0.06% | |
| CAD | 0.14% | -0.10% | -0.13% | -0.00% | -0.42% | -0.46% | -0.08% | |
| AUD | 0.57% | 0.32% | 0.29% | 0.43% | 0.42% | -0.03% | 0.34% | |
| NZD | 0.60% | 0.39% | 0.35% | 0.47% | 0.46% | 0.03% | 0.38% | |
| CHF | 0.25% | 0.00% | -0.04% | 0.06% | 0.08% | -0.34% | -0.38% |
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 US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
Trade of The Day – EUR/GBP
Facts: EURGBP bounced off the 1:1 structure at 0.8647 The pair is trading below the 100-period exponential moving average foram H1 interval Recommendation: Trade: Short position on EURGBP at market price Target: 0.8620, 0.8611 Stop Loss: 0.8655
Opinion: EURGBP has been trading in a downward trend recently. Taking a look at the H1 internal, we can see that the pair bounced off the key resistance, signaling a potential bearish trend resumption. The resistance at 0.8647 is marked with the upper limit of 1:1 structure. In addition the price sits below the 100- period moving average. According to the Overbalance strategy, as long as the price sits below the 0.8647 resistance, one should expect the price to continue to fall. Taking this into account, we recommend going short EURGBP at market price with two targets: 0.8620 and 0.8611. We also recommend placing a stop loss at 0.8655. Source: xStation5
Currency Talk – AUDCAD, GBPUSD, AUDUSD
Key takeaways
- What is the technical outlook for AUD/CAD, GBP/USD and AUD/USD?
This analysis from the Overbalance series aims to identify three financial instruments, analysed primarily on the daily/four-hour timeframe (D1/H4). The analysis utilises only the Overbalance methodology, which helps to identify points where a trend may continue or where a reversal may occur. Today’s analysis covers three instruments, assessed solely in terms of 1:1 correction structures. AUDCAD After several tests, the AUDCAD exchange rate has broken through the key support level at 0.9755, which, according to the Overbalance methodology, paves the way for a deeper downward correction. A potential target for the downside is the 0.9610 level, where the lower boundary of the large 1:1 pattern is located. Currently, the 0.9755 level is acting as resistance, and only a sustained return of the price above this zone could restore the bullish scenario.
AUDCAD – H4 timeframe. Source: xStation GBPUSD Since the beginning of April, GBPUSD has been trading within a local uptrend, supported by the 1:1 bullish pattern highlighted in green. The key support level remains at 1.3488. A potential bounce at this point could lead to the generation of another upward impulse. Conversely, a break below this level would open the way for a decline towards 1.3360, where the polarity of the previously broken downward pattern lies.
GBPUSD – H4 chart. Source: xStation AUDUSD The AUDUSD pair remains in an uptrend. Recently, the pair reached a new local high, followed by a rapid correction. Should this correction deepen, the key support level is 0.7121, derived from the lower boundary of the 1:1 pattern. As long as this level holds, the base case scenario remains a continuation of the upward trend.
AUDUSD – H4 chart. Source: xStation
EUR/GBP: Political strains and BoE doubts – Commerzbank
Commerzbank’s Michael Pfister argues that recent strength in the Pound (GBP) is unlikely to last, as ambitious Bank of England (BoE) rate expectations and renewed political risks weigh on the outlook. The bank forecasts EUR/GBP rising towards 0.89 in coming weeks, while GBP/USD is seen gradually appreciating over the longer term, with current Pound levels not expected to be revisited until 2027.
BoE repricing and UK politics threaten Pound
“Of the G10 currencies, the pound is one of only five to have posted a positive performance since the start of the war, alongside the four major commodity exporters. This surprising performance is based on two factors: the Bank of England (BoE) is expected to respond very decisively, and the political risk premium was priced out in early March. However, we doubt the sustainability of these factors, which is why we expect the pound to weaken in the coming months.”
“Instead of anticipating two rate cuts by the end of the year, the market has at times priced in more than three rate hikes. This massive correction naturally gave the pound a strong boost.”
“We doubt that the Bank of England will meet these expectations.”
“The BoE may raise rates once, but the focus is likely to shift back to rate cuts in the second half of the year. If the market moves in this direction as well, the GBP gains driven by ambitious rate expectations will likely be priced out again.”
“Given the ambitious BoE expectations and the ongoing political risks, we believe there is a strong possibility that the pound will come under pressure again in the coming weeks. Although EUR/GBP is now trading close to the 0.86 level again, if the local elections yield a poor result for Labour, the exchange rate is likely to trend towards 0.89.”
“Nevertheless, political risks are unlikely to persist indefinitely, so we expect a recovery to begin in the second half of the year. But the current level is unlikely to be reached again until 2027.”
Pound Dips Amid Political and Geopolitical Uncertainty
The pound traded slightly above $1.35, retreating from last week’s two-month high of $1.366, as investors turned their attention to Britain’s municipal elections on Thursday, with polls indicating Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party could suffer a notable setback. Meanwhile, oil prices remained near four-year highs amid ongoing Middle East tensions, with the US and Iran locked in a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Markets are pricing in nearly three quarter-point rate hikes from the Bank of England this year. Yet, uncertainty persists after the BoE kept rates unchanged, citing the broad economic fallout from the Iran conflict. Governor Andrew Bailey called the decision a “difficult judgement call,” cautioning that delaying action until inflationary pressures are evident could lead to a late response.
GBP remains on the back foot against firmer USD amid Mideast crisis
- GBP/USD attracts some sellers for the third straight day as renewed US-Iran tensions benefit the USD.
- Rising Oil prices fuel inflationary concerns and temper Fed rate cut bets, further underpinning the buck.
- The BoE’s more hawkish outlook could offer some support to the GBP and help limit losses for the pair.
The GBP/USD pair trades with a negative bias for the third straight day on Tuesday, though it lacks follow-through selling and holds above the 1.3500 psychological mark during the Asian session. Moreover, the mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution before positioning for an extension of the recent pullback from the 1.3655-1.3660 area, the highest level since February 16, touched last Friday.
The US Dollar (USD) attracts safe-haven flows amid the US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and diminishing odds for a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2026. A firmer USD, in turn, is seen as a key factor exerting some pressure on the GBP/USD pair. However, the Bank of England’s (BoE) relatively more hawkish stance acts as a tailwind for the British Pound (GBP) and helps limit the downside for spot prices.
In the latest developments, Reuters reported that there was a fire and an explosion on a South Korean-flagged vessel in the strait. US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be blown off the face of the earth if it attacks American vessels. Meanwhile, Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a barrage of missiles and drones after the US announced a program called Project Freedom to guide ships stranded in the Gulf.
This raises the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East and triggers a fresh leg up in Crude Oil prices, fueling inflationary concerns and bets for more hawkish central banks, including the US Federal Reserve (Fed). The outlook further underpins the USD and weighs on the GBP/USD pair. Meanwhile, the BoE signaled that rate hikes could be appropriate if inflation remains persistent, which should support spot prices.
Traders now look forward to Tuesday’s US economic docket – featuring the release of US ISM Services PMI, JOLTS Job Openings, and New Home Sales data. This, along with speeches from influential FOMC members, might provide some impetus to the buck and the GBP/USD pair. The focus, however, remains glued to the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday and geopolitical headlines, which might continue to infuse volatility.
GBP/JPY stabilizes below 213.00 after suspected JPY intervention-led intraday volatility
- GBP/JPY attracts heavy intraday selling on Monday amid suspected Yen intervention.
- Economic concerns stemming from Middle East tensions cap the upside for the JPY.
- The BoE’s hawkish outlook lends support to the GBP and also limits losses for the cross.
The GBP/JPY cross seems to have stabilized following good two-way price swings earlier this Monday and trades just below the 213.00 mark during the first half of the European session.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) gets a strong boost at the start of a new week amid speculations that authorities again intervened in the FX market to prop up the weak domestic currency. This, in turn, was seen as a key factor behind the GBP/JPY pair’s intraday decline of nearly 200 pips from levels just above mid-216.00s. However, economic concerns stemming from the Middle East crisis and the continued disruption of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz hold back the JPY bulls from placing aggressive bets.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced a new initiative to guide ships stranded in the Gulf under a program called “Project Freedom”. The immediate market reaction, however, remains muted as top Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi said that any US interference in the strategic waterway will be considered a violation of the ceasefire. This, along with the lack of progress in US-Iran peace talks, keeps geopolitical risks in play and remains supportive of elevated Crude Oil prices, capping gains for the JPY.
The British Pound (GBP), on the other hand, draws support from the Bank of England’s (BoE) hawkish outlook, suggesting that rate hikes could be appropriate if inflation remains persistent. This turns out to be another factor that contributes to limiting the downside for the GBP/JPY cross. From a technical perspective, the intraday fall stalled near the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), further warranting caution before positioning for an extension of last week’s sharp pullback from the highest level since January 2008.
Japanese Yen Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the British Pound.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | -0.01% | 0.11% | -0.08% | 0.10% | 0.08% | -0.01% | 0.13% | |
| EUR | 0.00% | 0.08% | -0.07% | 0.10% | 0.10% | -0.00% | 0.12% | |
| GBP | -0.11% | -0.08% | -0.17% | 0.01% | 0.02% | -0.09% | 0.06% | |
| JPY | 0.08% | 0.07% | 0.17% | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.01% | 0.14% | |
| CAD | -0.10% | -0.10% | -0.01% | -0.14% | -0.04% | -0.14% | 0.03% | |
| AUD | -0.08% | -0.10% | -0.02% | -0.10% | 0.04% | -0.13% | 0.04% | |
| NZD | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.09% | -0.01% | 0.14% | 0.13% | 0.15% | |
| CHF | -0.13% | -0.12% | -0.06% | -0.14% | -0.03% | -0.04% | -0.15% |
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 Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).
