Headline: GBP/USD Outlook: Fed Data Watch and BoE Signals Keep Sterling Range-Bound
The US dollar has stumbled even as markets trim expectations for a December Federal Reserve rate cut, leaving FX traders grappling with mixed signals ahead of the final FOMC meeting of the year. Sterling, meanwhile, is swinging on shifting Bank of England guidance and UK fiscal headlines, keeping GBP/USD confined to a tight, technical battle.
With market pricing now close to a coin flip for a December Fed move, incoming US data will likely set the tone. A softer September payrolls print may carry limited weight due to its lag, but a strong surprise could nudge expectations toward a more resilient economy. Ultimately, November nonfarm payrolls are poised to be the decisive input ahead of the December FOMC, especially with limited time for fresh inflation data to land before the meeting.
In the UK, the Bank of England left Bank Rate unchanged on a narrow 5–4 vote, with one more policymaker joining the camp favoring a 25 bp cut. Governor Andrew Bailey emphasized that any December easing remains contingent on further evidence of cooling inflation. Weaker UK labor data has pushed market-implied odds of a December cut higher, and the BoE will receive another employment release and two inflation prints before its next decision. Reports that the Autumn Budget will avoid tax increases have added to intraday sterling volatility.
On the charts, GBP/USD faces firm resistance near 1.32, where sellers have been defending the downtrend. A daily close above the major trendline would open scope toward 1.34, but until then, rallies look vulnerable. Support remains concentrated around 1.31 on the four-hour time frame, a level that has repeatedly attracted dip buyers. A sustained break below 1.31 would shift momentum decisively lower, while another bounce from this zone could reset a test of the trendline and keep the pair range-bound in the near term.
Key Points: – US dollar weak despite reduced odds of a December Fed rate cut; markets await pivotal data. – November nonfarm payrolls likely to be the key input before the December FOMC meeting. – Bank of England held rates on a 5–4 split; market odds for a December BoE cut have increased. – BoE signals any December move depends on clearer evidence of easing inflation. – UK Autumn Budget chatter around no new tax hikes added to sterling volatility. – GBP/USD technicals: resistance near 1.32, support around 1.31; breakouts could target 1.34 on the upside or fresh lows if 1.31 fails.
