GBP/USD remains on the defensive below 1.2450 ahead of UK Retail Sales data
The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive near 1.2430 during the early Asian session on Friday. The downtick of the major pair is backed by the stronger US Dollar (USD) as the strong US economic data and hawkish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials have triggered the speculation that the US central bank will delay interest rate cuts to September.
On Thursday, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said that US inflation is too high and the central bank still has a way to go on inflation. Bostic further stated that he’s comfortable being patient and rate cuts are likely by year end. New York Fed President John Williams emphasized that the Fed is data-dependent and noted that he doesn’t feel an urgency to cut rates. Investors are now pricing in nearly 66% odds that the Fed will cut its rate in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Read more…
GBP/USD stays firm amid BoE, Fed commentary and US data
The Pound Sterling is virtually unchanged against the US Dollar in the mid-North American session, amid a scarce economic docket in the United Kingdom (UK) if not interrupted by Bank of England (BoE) member Megan Greene. A slew of Federal Reserve officials keep pounding the mantra of patience when easing rates. The GBP/USD trades at 1.2456, almost flat.
Major central bank policymakers are grabbing the headlines, leaving economic data in the background. Therefore, Fed and BoE speakers are driving GBP/USD price action. Read more…
Source: https://www.fxstreet.com/news/pound-sterling-loses-traction-around-12430-amid-the-firmer-us-dollar-on-friday-202404190445