Pound Holds Ahead of Inflation Data | 19th August 2025

Pound Holds Ahead of Inflation Data

The British pound is trading steadily against the US dollar as investors turn their attention to the upcoming UK inflation report. This data is expected to play a key role in shaping expectations for the Bank of England’s next policy decisions. A higher-than-expected reading could strengthen the case for keeping rates elevated, while softer numbers may revive talks of rate cuts later this year. With global markets closely watching, the release has the potential to spark fresh volatility in GBP/USD.

Gold (XAU/USD) Forecast

Current Price and Context

Gold is hovering around $3,337–$3,338 early Tuesday, showing limited upside momentum. The lack of bullish conviction reflects softening expectations for aggressive Fed easing, despite ongoing geopolitical optimism from a potential U.S.–Russia–Ukraine peace initiative. Investors are awaiting further cues from Friday’s Jackson Hole symposium, where Fed Chair Powell is expected to weigh in on policy direction.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Growing hopes for a diplomatic resolution between Russia and Ukraine are easing safe-haven demand for gold.

US Economic Data: Recent strong inflation indicators are reducing market expectations of significant Fed easing, limiting gold’s support.

FOMC Outlook: The upcoming Jackson Hole conference is a key event. Markets currently place an ~84% probability on a 25 basis-point Fed rate cut in the near term.

Trade Policy: No new developments; trade sentiment remains a background influence at best.

Monetary Policy: Elevated Treasury yields continue to weigh on gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Sideways — gold lacks directional conviction and remains range-bound.

Resistance: $3,350–$3,355 is the key ceiling.

Support: $3,330–$3,325 offers near-term backing.

Forecast: Expect gold to consolidate between $3,330–$3,350, awaiting direction from Fed signals at Jackson Hole.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Neutral and cautious — investors await clarity on Fed policy and geopolitical developments.

Catalyst: The Jackson Hole symposium later this week is the primary event to watch.

Silver (XAG/USD) Forecast

Current Price and Context

Silver is trading below the $38.00 mark for the fourth consecutive session, as investors step back from safe-haven assets amid renewed optimism following a U.S.–Ukraine peace-related meeting. White House officials signaled potential progress toward trilateral talks with Russia, reducing safe-haven demand for metals like silver. Nonetheless, recent U.S. data have upheld dovish Fed expectations, which may offer a floor to prices.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: Reduced safe-haven demand as hopes for U.S.–Russia–Ukraine diplomacy ease risk sentiment.

US Economic Data: Strong inflation data have tempered expectations for aggressive rate cuts, limiting silver’s upside. Conversely, dovish Fed expectations still offer modest support.

FOMC Outlook: Markets signal around an 84% probability of a 25 bp rate cut in September—supportive but not enough to spark a breakout.

Trade Policy: No direct trade policy impact today; broader macro sentiment remains the key influence.

Monetary Policy: Elevated yields and tempered safe-haven flows tighten pressure on non-yielding metals like silver.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Bearish-to-neutral — silver remains under pressure, unable to push back above $38.00.

Resistance: Immediate barrier is at $38.00; a break above may target $38.25–$38.50.

Support: Near-term support lies between $37.70–$37.50.

Forecast: Expect continued consolidation below $38.00. A sustained move higher may require dovish Fed commentary or a breakdown in U.S.–Ukraine optimism.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Cautiously bearish — safe-haven flows have faded, and upside drivers are limited.

Catalyst: The upcoming Jackson Hole symposium and any shift in geopolitical sentiment may determine near-term silver direction.

GBP/USD Forecast

Current Price and Context

GBP/USD has softened slightly to around 1.3500 in early European trade. This modest depreciation comes as traders pare back their expectations for Fed rate cuts at the September meeting. Meanwhile, the stronger-than-expected UK Q2 GDP print (0.3% vs. 0.1%) could limit sterling’s downside. All eyes now turn to tomorrow’s UK CPI release for the next major move.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: None immediate; focus remains on economic data and central bank outlooks.

US Economic Data: A hotter PPI print has dampened expectations for aggressive Fed easing, supporting USD strength.

FOMC Outlook: Market now price in just one Fed rate cut this year—a shift that could restrain GBP/USD.

Trade Policy: No fresh developments; overall sentiment remains cautious.

Monetary Policy: Strong UK GDP may reduce BoE’s inclination to ease, offering some support to GBP.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Mildly bearish in the short term, with the pair slipping below key thresholds.

Resistance: Near-term resistance is tight around 1.3520–1.3550.

Support: Immediate support lies near 1.3480–1.3450.

Forecast: GBP/USD is expected to trade in a tight range of 1.3450–1.3550, with tomorrow’s CPI report likely to trigger sharper movement.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Cautiously neutral—investors cautious ahead of big data.

Catalyst: UK CPI tomorrow is the pivotal event; a surprise print could swing GBP/USD out of its current range.

USD/CNY Forecast

Current Price and Context

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has set today’s USD/CNY reference rate at 7.1359, slightly higher than the previous fix of 7.1322, indicating a faint tilt towards yuan depreciation. This comes as Chinese authorities continue to manage currency strength amid global capital flows and broader central bank policy shifts.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: No immediate geopolitical catalysts; however, global risk sentiment and Chinese export resilience remain key radar points.

US Economic Data: Strong U.S. data pressure the dollar globally, prompting China to intervene to stabilize the yuan.

FOMC Outlook: Fed policy expectations continue to steer USD strength — influencing PBOC’s currency guidance.

Trade Policy: Ongoing headwinds in the U.S.-China trade landscape are prompting PBOC to subtly adjust the reference rate to support exporters.

Monetary Policy: The marginally weaker yuan via the fix may reflect loose FX policy aimed at maintaining competitive trade pricing.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Neutral-to-slightly bearish for USD/CNY—the small adjustment reflects moderate CNY weakness but lacks aggressive depreciation.

Resistance: Around 7.14, where previous fixing levels have clustered.

Support: Near 7.13, just below today’s fix, serving as a potential stabilization floor.

Forecast: Expect the USD/CNY to range between 7.13–7.14 in the near term. Additional policy nudges may come if external pressures mount.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Moderately stable, as markets interpret today’s fix as controlled currency management amid broader dynamics.

Catalyst: Upcoming PBOC guidance, FX reserves data, and external trade developments may influence subsequent reference rate settings.

NZD/USD Forecast

Current Price and Context

NZD/USD is gaining traction around 0.5925 in early Asian trade as the US dollar softens and markets position ahead of two key events: Wednesday’s RBNZ interest rate decision and the Jackson Hole Federal Reserve symposium. U.S. economic data that keep September rate-cut expectations intact are helping ease pressure on the Kiwi. Meanwhile, a widely anticipated 25 bp cut by the RBNZ could shape further near-term moves.

Key Drivers

Geopolitical Risks: None immediate; risk tone remains positive, favoring flows into NZD.

US Economic Data: Persistent signals of moderation in the U.S. economy support broad USD weakness, backing NZD/USD.

FOMC Outlook: Markets factor in around an 83% chance of a 25 bp Fed cut in September, reducing USD strength.

Trade Policy: No major developments—risk sentiment remains the dominant driver.

Monetary Policy: The RBNZ is expected to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 bp to 3.0%, likely exerting downward pressure on the NZD.

Technical Outlook

Trend: Modestly bullish, supported by broader USD softness.

Resistance: Near-term cap is around 0.5940–0.5950.

Support: Immediate floor at 0.5900, with stronger backing near 0.5880.

Forecast: Expect trading in a 0.5900–0.5950 range. A dovish RBNZ or dovish Fed tone could tip the pair higher, while hawkish surprises or stronger USD may push it lower.

Sentiment and Catalysts

Market Sentiment: Cautious optimism — NZD is supported by risk appetite and USD softening, but sentiment remains tied to central bank cues.

Catalyst: The RBNZ’s rate decision and commentary, along with Fed signals from Jackson Hole, are the key near-term triggers.

Wrap-up

For now, the pound is holding its ground, reflecting a cautious market mood ahead of the inflation release. Traders are positioning themselves for potential swings depending on how the data aligns with current expectations. A strong report could provide near-term support for GBP/USD, while a weaker outcome may weigh on sentiment and trigger renewed downside pressure. Either way, the inflation numbers are set to be a decisive factor for the pound’s next direction, keeping it firmly in the spotlight for the trading day.

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