The pound sterling dropped like a stone, breaking easily through $1.4230 after Bank of England governor Mark Carney said that "now is not yet the time to raise interest rates". He highlighted global economic risks weighing on inflation and said that inflation "will likely remain very low for longer". His comments dashed investors' hopes for an early rate hike and sent the pound sharply lower toward its next target at 1.41.
Ahead of Carney's speech an unexpectedly uptick in core consumer price index has driven GBP to a weekly high at 1.4340, which now marks a faraway resistance for the currency pair. We will now turn our focus to the next lower barrier at 1.41. A sustained break below that level could push sterling towards 1.4050 and 1.40, important price levels where the cable may gain some ground. However, upward movements could currently be limited until 1.42 and 1.4235.
Today we will focus on the next important economic report from U.K. which will be labor market data, due at 9:30 GMT, here in particular Average Weekly Earnings. Wages are forecast to show a decline, which could put further pressure on the currency.
The EUR/USD marked a current support at 1.0859 from where it started a relief rally toward its resistance area at 1.0985. In case of a renewed test of this resistance it should be interesting whether the euro will be able to break above 1.10, pointing towards a higher target at 1.1035. However, the current upward momentum could be deceptive ahead the European Central Bank meeting tomorrow. ECB president Mario Draghi may deliver a more dovish than-expected message to talk down the euro. Euro traders should prefer to turn their focus to a downside break of 1.0830 and 1.08 rather than an upside-break of 1.0985.
We have some interesting U.S. data scheduled for release today. U.S. Consumer Prices are due at 13:30 GMT along with the release of U.S. Building Permits. If CPI figures surprise to the upside, the greenback could trade higher against its major peers.
Here are our daily signal alerts:
EUR/USD
Long @ 1.0970 SL 25 TP 20, 60
Short @ 1.0915 SL 25 TP 20, 40
GBP/USD
Long @ 1.4215 SL 25 TP 20, 40
Short @ 1.4125 SL 25 TP 20, 40
We wish you good trades and many pips!
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