The Pound Sterling rises 0.6% against the US Dollar, disregarding weaker CBI sentiment, as reported

    by VT Markets
    /
    Jun 24, 2025

    The British Pound has risen by 0.6% against the US Dollar, continuing its upward trend and moving towards its multi-year high reached in June. Despite weaker than expected CBI business sentiment data, the focus remains on central bank policies, with expectations impacting currency performance.

    The current week has a minimal data calendar, so attention centres on central bank expectations, particularly with numerous Bank of England events scheduled. Recent sessions have allowed the GBP/USD pairing to recover and aim for its June highs.

    Technical Analysis Key Support Levels

    The 50-day moving average at 1.3412 serves as a medium-term support level. Short-term support is anticipated in the 1.1520-1.1550 range, with little resistance before reaching 1.3750.

    We’ve seen Sterling taking further steps higher, adding 0.6% against the greenback and showing a level of resilience that’s hard to ignore. It’s now edging back towards levels not seen since early summer, specifically its peak in June. That advance came in spite of disappointing sentiment data from the Confederation of British Industry. Normally, such a miss would weigh on the currency, but right now, the broader focus is parked elsewhere—interest rate projections continue to take the spotlight.

    This week brings a quieter schedule for economic indicators, and that’s turning all eyes towards the Bank of England once more. There’s a slate of official appearances and remarks coming. These will shape expectations around monetary tightening, which, in turn, have been lending support to Sterling. It’s not just about what’s being said, but how it lines up with forward guidance already priced in by markets.


    Market Sentiment and Volatility

    The price action in recent days has shown the GBP/USD pair gradually reclaiming ground that was lost amid earlier uncertainty. As of now, it’s pressing against previous highs, and with minimal short-term hurdles ahead, there’s room to test higher resistance.

    Technically, the chart structure is lending support where needed. The 50-day moving average, sitting around 1.3412, forms a line that traders have been watching as a barometer for medium-term direction. Support, on the shorter timeframe, appears between 1.1520 and 1.1550, which has held on a handful of recent pullbacks. Should momentum continue, the path above faces little in the way of firm resistance until closer to the 1.3750 level, where several key price rejection points from earlier in the year remain visible.

    From our perspective, these levels provide strategic markers. They offer a helpful framework for assessing risk, particularly for positions where timing is essential. That said, any quick move towards the upper barrier should be viewed in line with the macro picture. Traders tend to favour these windows of steady trend and reduced volatility to adjust exposure—especially in the absence of disruptive political headlines or economic surprises.

    Bailey’s recent remarks have added layers of interpretation. While some took his language as cautiously optimistic, others have flagged the need for continued vigilance depending on wage growth and service sector inflation. The nuance here matters. It will feed into forward pricing of Bank Rate expectations, and if his tone matches with comments from fellow MPC members scheduled to speak later in the week, that may reinforce market conviction.

    So the task shifts slightly. It’s about watching the tone, not just the message. In this type of environment, wide price swings are less likely, but accumulation can happen beneath the surface. We’re looking at forward curve movement more than spot headline reactions. For now, the risk asymmetry tilts upward.

    As this develops, we suggest keeping a close eye on volatility readings. They’re still subdued across GBP options markets, particularly on the one-month tenor. This implies that sticky positioning isn’t in a rush to unwind. Meanwhile, open interest levels around the 1.36–1.38 strikes have ticked up over the past few sessions, which could indicate preparation for a breakout if rate differentials begin to widen unexpectedly.

    In this type of calm data environment, technicals tend to guide positioning decisions. With the range narrowing and support holding, we’ve seen traders become more active in the higher delta end of the option chain. This isn’t unusual, but the scale to which it’s happening indicates growing conviction behind the current direction, at least in the short run.

    Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

    see more

    Back To Top
    Chatbots