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Strong U.K. CPI Report to Fuel GBP/USD Relief Rally

Strong U.K. CPI Report to Fuel GBP/USD Relief Rally

- U.K Consumer Price Index (CPI) to Expand Annualized 2.6% in April- Highest Since September 2013.

- Core Rate of Inflation to Expand 2.3% per Annum- Fastest Rate of Growth Since June 2013.

Trading the News: U.K. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

U.K. CPI

A marked pickup in both the headline and core U.K. Consumer Price Index (CPI) may fuel the relief rally in GBP/USD as it puts pressure on the Bank of England (BoE) to normalize monetary policy sooner rather than later.

Why Is This Event Important:

The BoE’s latest attempt to buy more time appears to have tamed the near-term recovery in the pound-dollar exchange rate, but signs of heightening price pressures may boost the appeal of Sterling especially as Governor Mark Carney and Co. now warn ‘monetary policy could need to be tightened by a somewhat greater extent over the forecast period than the very gently rising path implied by the market yield curve underlying the May projections.’ Even though the BoE sees inflation ‘peaking a little below 3%’ later this year, signs of heightening price pressures may trigger a bullish reaction and keep GBP/USD afloat as it lifts interest-rate expectations. Nevertheless, another weaker-than-expected CPI report may undermine the recent resilience in the British Pound as it encourages the majority to keep the benchmark interest rate at the record-low of 0.25% beyond 2017.

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Impact that the U.K. CPI report has had on GBP/USD during the previous release

PeriodData ReleasedEstimateActualPips ChangePips Change

MAR

2017

04/11/2017 08:30 GMT2.3%2.3%-1+76

March 2017 U.K. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

GBP/USD 5-Minute

GBP/USD Chart

The U.K Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased an annualized 2.3% for the second consecutive month in March, while the core rate of inflation narrowed to 1.8% from 2.0% during the same period amid forecasts for a 1.9% print. A deeper look at the report showed the weakness was largely driven by easing transportation costs, but the recent softness may do little to alter the monetary policy outlook as the Bank of England (BoE) persistently warns ‘there are limits to the extent to which above-target inflation can be tolerated.’ Nevertheless, the mixed market reaction was short-lived, with GBP/USD gaining ground throughout the North American trade to end the day at 1.2492.

How To Trade This Event Risk(Video)

Bullish GBP Trade: Headline & Core Inflation Surge in April

  • Need a green, five-minute candle following the release to consider a long GBP/USD trade.
  • If market reaction favors a bullish British Pound trade, buy GBP/USD with two separate lots.
  • Set stop at the near-by swing low/reasonable distance from entry; look for at least 1:1 risk-to-reward.
  • Move stop to breakeven on remaining position once initial target is met, set reasonable limit.

Bearish GBP Trade: U.K. CPI Report Continues to Cast Mixed Outlook

  • Need a red, five-minute GBP/USD candle to favor a bearish British Pound.
  • Carry out the same setup as the bullish Pound trade, just in the opposite direction.

Potential Price Targets For The Release

GBP/USD Daily

GBP/USD Daily Chart

Chart - Created Using Trading View

  • GBP/USD may continue to face range bound prices as it breaks the recent series of lower highs & lows, but the relief rally appears to be losing momentum especially as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) starts to deviate with price and fails to preserve the bullish formation carried over from March.
  • In turn, a break/close below the near-term support zone around 1.2860 (61.8% retracement) may trigger a larger decline in the exchange rate, with the next downside region of interest coming in around 1.2630 (38.2% expansion) to 1.2680 (50% retracement).
  • Interim Resistance: 1.3460 (50% retracement) to 1.3481 (July high)
  • Interim Support: 1.1905 (2016-low) and 1.2100 (61.8% expansion)

Make Sure to Check Out the DailyFX Guides for Additional Trading Ideas!

IG Sentiment

Retail trader data shows 41.7% of traders are net-long GBP/USD with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.4 to 1. In fact, traders have remained net-short since April 12 when GBP/USD traded near 1.23717; price has moved 4.2% higher since then. The number of traders net-long is 6.1% higher than yesterday and 10.7% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 2.2% lower than yesterday and 6.0% lower from last week..For More Information on Retail Sentiment, Check Out the New Gauge Developed by DailyFX Based on Trader Positioning

For More Updates, Join DailyFX Currency Analyst David Song for LIVE Analysis!

--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst

To contact David, e-mail dsong@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.

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DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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