• GBP/USD remains steady as markets digest the Autumn Budget despite OBR’s downgraded UK growth outlook.
• Fed cut odds hold at 85%, keeping pressure on the US Dollar in thin holiday liquidity.
• US jobless claims remain resilient, though broader labor signals continue to soften gradually.

The GBP/USD pair remains steady at around 1.3230 on Thursday as market participants digest the UK’s Autumn Budget amid thin trading liquidity conditions, with US markets remaining closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. At the time of writing, the pair is flat at 1.3232, virtually unchanged.

Sterling steady in thin Thanksgiving trade as Fed cut bets cap Dollar strength

European bourses trade with a positive mood after Wall Street ended Wednesday’s session in the green ahead of the long weekend. The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the Autumn Budget.

Analysts cited by Reuters revealed that “Fears about slow growth, weak productivity and sticky inflation are not reflective of an attractive investment backdrop.” Reeves' budget was well received by markets despite the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) downward revision of the economic growth for 2025.

Although this is bearish for the Pound Sterling (GBP), the US Dollar (USD) remains pressured on expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) might reduce borrowing costs at the December 9-10 meeting.

Odds of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed are 85%, unchanged from a day ago.

On Wednesday, US Initial Jobless Claims figures for the week ending November 22 rose by 216K, beneath forecasts of 225K, an indication that the labor market is solid despite signs of weakness.

Continuing claims for the week ending November 15 rose from 1.95 million to 1.96 million. In the meantime, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the buck’s performance versus six currencies, remains steady at 99.57.

GBP/USD Price Chart – Daily