British Pound holds gains above 1.3150, US PCE inflation data looms

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GBP/USD rebounds to around 1.3175 in Thursday’s Asian session.
UK PM Keir Starmer resigned on Monday, throwing UK politics into sudden turmoil.
Traders will keep an eye on the US PCE Price Index report for May, which is due on Thursday.

The GBP/USD pair recovers some lost ground to near 1.3175 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. However, the potential upside for the major pair might be limited amid UK political instability and rising expectations of US interest rate hikes this year. Traders await the US May Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data on Thursday for fresh impetus.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on Monday, throwing the country into yet another political crisis. Starmer stepped down under intense pressure following Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election last week. His Labour Party will now need to select a new leader to lead the country.

Traders will closely monitor what Burnham’s policy would look like. Analysts warned that Burnham’s preferred expansionary fiscal stance, higher taxation, and increased gilt issuance could weigh on the British Pound (GBP) against the US Dollar (USD).

The US PCE Price Index report for May will take center stage on Thursday. The headline PCE is expected to show a rise of 4.1% YoY in May, compared to 3.8% in April. The core CPE inflation is projected to show an increase of 3.4% YoY in May, versus 3.3% prior. Any signs of easing inflation in the US could undermine the Greenback and create a tailwind for the major pair.

Meanwhile, traders reassess the timing of possible US rate hikes after the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) hawkish signal. Markets have priced in nearly a 34.2% probability of a 25 basis points (bps) hike at the July meeting, up from 8.5% a week ago, and 66.4% for September, up from 29.1%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Pound Sterling FAQs

What is the Pound Sterling?

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).

How do the decisions of the Bank of England impact on the Pound Sterling?

The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.

How does economic data influence the value of the Pound?

Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Pound?

Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.