UK GDP Slumps

GBP is under pressure today on the back of the latest UK economic data this morning. GDP was seen sharply lower last month at -0.3%, down from 0.2% prior and below the -0.1% the market was looking for. The data comes on the back of weaker-than-forecast UK labour market data earlier in the week which saw the jobless rate rising to its highest levels since 2021. With unemployment up and activity down, near-term BOE easing expectations have jumped with traders now looking for the bank to cut rates again when it meets in August along with a further cut after the summer. While this narrative remains intact, GBP looks likely to weaken further near-term.

EURGBP Longs

The best vehicle for expressing GBP shorts at the moment looks to be EURGBP. Fresh weakness in USD means that GBPUSD isn’t seeing the same reaction as we’re getting elsewhere in the FX space. However, with the ECB recently declaring that it is nearly done with its easing cycle, there is strong, tradable divergence between it and the BOE making EURGBP longs an attractive opportunity near-term. Looking ahead, any further UK data weakness should feed into the upside move in EURGBP. Similarly, any strong eurozone data and or hawkish ECB commentary should help further underpin the rally.

Technical Views

EURGBP

The rally off the .8370 level in EURGBP is gathering pace now with the pair breaking back above .8458 and the broken bull channel lows. The next test for bull sis the .8527 level which, if broken, opens the way for a move up to .8627 in line with bullish momentum studies signals.