The Sterling fell soon after the release of UK inflation data which was largely in line with expectations, but some key elements of the report were softer and this could ultimately prove to be supportive of the currency. GBPUSD is trading at around 1.2250 at the time of writing. The annual inflation rate in the UK increased to 9.1% y/y in May 2022 from 9% y/y in the previous month, the highest since 1982. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.7% m/m, above expectations of 0.6% m/m, with the main upward pressure coming from food and non-food prices.
Core CPI grew 5.9% y/y in May, below market expectations of 6% and below the 6.2% in April. The core month-on-month reading came in at 0.5% m/m down from 0.7% previously and consensus expectations for 0.7%. The data is likely to prompt the BOE to raise rates soon, with the option for a 25 bps rate hike at its next meeting in August rather than upping the stakes with a 50 bps hike. The GBPUSD pair remains under pressure despite its latest rebound from 2-year lows at 1.1932.
Canadian CPI accelerated in May with the headline gauge more than doubling, surging 1.4% on the month from 0.6% in April. That saw the is the 12-month figure jump to a 7.7% y/y rate from 6.8% y/y previously, the fastest clip since January 1983. The core (common) rate posted a 3.9% y/y pace, up from 3.5% (was 3.2%), and is the fastest since 1991. Meanwhile, the median y/y rate accelerated to 4.9 y/y from 4.6% (was 4.4%) y/y, a new all-time high. The data will keep the BoC on a hawkish policy course, where the Bank hiked 50 bps in June, following the 50 bps in April, and the 25 bps in March as the Bank moved off of near zero rates.
Technical Overview
Last week GBPCAD rebounded from the oversold point of 1.5482 and managed to gain more than 1%. However, the bearish trend that has been going on since the beginning of the year still looks very steep, although an attempt to bounce back after recording a 6-year low could be an important indication of the direction of the next move.
If the intraday bullish flags above the support at 1.5776 are validated, then the price projection for the GBPCAD pair will test the resistance at 1.6181 or at least land at the FE61.8% level at 1.6122 (from a drawdown of 1.5482-1.6006 and 1.5798). This would mean the minor resistance 1.6006 is broken. However, as long as the price only moves below the minor resistance 1.6006 the prospect will remain in the range of consolidation. A move below the 1.5776 minor support would bring the bias to the downside again.
In the medium term, the resistance at 1.6181 is important to watch, because a break of this level could confirm a rebound at 1.5482 and the price rally will reach higher retracement levels. As long as the price is below 1.6181, there will be no change in the direction of the price.
Click here to access our Economic Calendar
Ady Phangestu
Market Analyst – HF Educational Office – Indonesia
Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
