The US dollar unexpectedly stopped growing in almost all pairs in the afternoon. The EUR/USD pair pulled back from the bottom of the 10th figure to the level of 1.1085, the USD/JPY pair dropped to the bottom of the 108th figure, and the aussie again went to conquer the 69th price level.
In varying degrees, the greenback surrendered its positions in the remaining pairs. The pound-dollar pair was no exception: after the price again updated its annual low of 1.2078, a rather sharp reversal and growth followed in the middle of the 21st figure. By and large, a corrective pullback was expected, as the pair was gradually approaching its record high, that is, to a record low of 1.1986, which was reached in January 2017. As the pair's downward impulse exhaled, the probability of a corrective growth increased - from the bottom of the 20th figure. But the dollar was ahead of the event, weakening throughout the market. As a result, the GBP/USD pair retreated by almost 100 points only due to the devaluation of the greenback.
This price dynamics was due to several reasons. First, the ISM Manufacturing Index was published today, which, despite positive forecasts, dropped to 51.2 points, updating its multi-month lows. The structure of the indicator suggests that the employment component fell to 51.7 points (for comparison, it was at 54.7 in the previous month), and the price component of the index (inflation component) fell to 45.1 points, while the growth forecast to 50 -ty points. In general, the indicator has been falling for the fourth month in a row, disrupting the optimistic picture of the US statistical reporting.
After a strong Nonfarms and relatively good data on US GDP growth, today's release has become a kind of "cold shower" for dollar bulls. After all, the words of Jerome Powell are still fresh in their memory, as they allowed a further reduction in the interest rate, if key macroeconomic indicators show a steady decline. Yesterday, this rhetoric supported the dollar, as the key economic indicators that preceded the July Fed meeting came out (mostly) in the green zone or at the level of forecasts. But the ISM index "sobered up" many market participants, especially on the eve of tomorrow's Nonfarms, which traders could also be disappointed in, given the relatively weak report from ADP (according to their data, the increase in the number of employees amounted to 156,000 in July).
Amid doubts that have resurfaced regarding the Fed's future actions, the yield on 10-year Treasuries fell sharply. In just a few hours, this figure fell from 2,053% to 1,952%. The fact of such a rapid decline put additional pressure on the dollar, allowing bulls of the GBP/USD pair to return to the 21st figure.
In general, the current situation shows how dollar bulls are uncertain in their abilities. Only one macroeconomic report was able to shake the position of the greenback, which has been building up its muscles throughout the day. If subsequent releases will also be released in the "red zone" (especially inflation indicators), the dollar will return the points gained in the medium term, as concerns about the next steps from the Fed will return to the market.
This situation will allow GBP/USD traders to open short positions at the peak of corrective pullbacks. After all, the fundamental picture remains negative for the pound, regardless of the US events. Johnson is still preparing Britain for the hard Brexit, and his aggressive rhetoric addressed to Brussels reduces the likelihood of any compromise. The market hopes for the help of the British Parliament, which can block the implementation of the chaotic scenario. But these hopes are justified only with the current composition of the House of Commons. In the meantime, the British press is increasingly suggesting that Johnson will decide to hold extraordinary Parliamentary elections. Here it is worth noting that with the arrival of the new prime minister, the Conservative Party rating rose by six points at once - that is, to 31%. The Labor Party ranking is now 21%. The gap in the ratings of Conservatives and Laborers was a record in the last five months. Such sociology also has background pressure on the pound, although the question of early elections is not yet on the agenda.
Nevertheless, uncertainty over Brexit prospects, as well as Johnson's aggressive attacks on the EU leadership suggest that the downward dynamics of GBP/USD is still justified. From a technical point of view, the pair is within the framework of the downward movement, as evidenced by the trend indicators on all "higher" timeframes (from H4 and higher). The nearest support level is at 1,2005 (the bottom line of the Bollinger Bands indicator on the monthly chart). The purpose of a possible corrective pullback is the mark of 1.2290 (Tenkan-sen line on the daily chart): if the bulls overcome it, then they will consolidate again in the 23rd figure. However, given the fundamental picture, it will be difficult for the bulls to find a reason for such a significant upward spurt.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com