Learn To Trade Forex • Best Forex Trading Course • AsiaForexMentor

GBP/USD Slumps on Escalating Geopolitical Risks and Soft U.S. Economic Data

Written by

Ezekiel Chew

Updated on

January 20, 2025

i

GBP/USD Slumps on Escalating Geopolitical Risks and Soft U.S. Economic Data

Written by:

Last updated on:

January 20, 2025

The British Pound fell sharply against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday, with GBP/USD dropping to its lowest level in over a week. The move came as weak U.S. economic data and escalating geopolitical tensions drove investors towards safer assets, bolstering the Greenback at the expense of riskier currencies like Sterling. The pair slipped below the 1.3300 mark, signaling a loss of momentum as global uncertainties weighed heavily on market sentiment.

Geopolitical concerns were a major catalyst, with reports emerging that Iran had launched a missile strike against Israel, following Israel’s recent incursion into Lebanon. The situation quickly intensified as the United States pledged support for Israel, raising the specter of a wider conflict in the Middle East. This escalation has driven a flight to safety, with investors pulling back from riskier plays, adding pressure on the Pound while boosting the U.S. Dollar.

Adding to the Pound's woes, the latest U.S. economic data failed to inspire confidence. September's ISM Manufacturing PMI remained unchanged at 47.2, falling short of expectations for a slight improvement to 47.5. The figure remains in contraction territory, reflecting ongoing challenges in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Additionally, the ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid index fell significantly to 48.3 from 54.0, indicating easing price pressures and suggesting weaker demand conditions.

Despite a surge in JOLTS Job Openings to 8.04 million in August—up from the prior month's revised 7.7 million—the labor market showed signs of underlying weakness. The ISM Manufacturing Employment Index dropped to 43.9, missing forecasts and reflecting continued difficulties in converting job postings into new hires. This disconnect highlights a labor market still struggling to gain robust momentum, contributing to the mixed economic outlook.

Looking ahead, Pound traders have little to focus on until the Bank of England's (BoE) Monetary Policy Report Hearings on Thursday, where any hints about future policy direction could impact sentiment. Meanwhile, the U.S. will release a series of minor economic indicators leading up to the crucial Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday. Investors are particularly cautious as data has consistently failed to meet expectations, raising questions about the strength of the U.S. economy.

GBP/USD Chart from FXStreet, TradingView as of October 1st, 2024

Technically, the GBP/USD pair faces increasing downside pressure after falling below the 1.3300 handle. The next significant support lies near the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.3100, but the path lower is unlikely to be smooth, with traders eyeing the 1.3000 level as a key battleground should bearish momentum continue.

With geopolitical tensions escalating and economic data painting a lackluster picture, the British Pound finds itself on shaky ground. Investors are adopting a cautious stance, waiting for clearer signals from both the BoE and U.S. labor market data, which could provide the next major directional cues for the currency pair. For now, risk aversion and uncertainty are keeping Sterling under significant pressure.

About Ezekiel Chew​

Ezekiel Chew, founder and head of training at Asia Forex Mentor, is a renowned forex expert, frequently invited to speak at major industry events. Known for his deep market insights, Ezekiel is one of the top traders committed to supporting the trading community. Making six figures per trade, he also trains traders working in banks, fund management, and prop trading firms.

What Just Sent Gold Prices Racing Again?

Gold price jumped strongly before the government shutdown, and even though it ended, the rally is not fading yet today. Analysts say strong investment demand mixed with steady uncertainty could keep pushing gold higher for the next several months ahead. Gold reached record levels this year, climbing to $4,360 on

Read More

Bitcoin Slow Recovery: What’s Holding the Market Back?

Bitcoin slow recovery is trying to climb out of a 330 billion slump as big buyers quietly pull back from the market now. After October’s sharp swings, the price moved up then stopped near 100,000, showing a recovery still lacking real strength today. ETF buyers and corporate treasuries stepped away

Read More

AI’s Rise Puts Finance on Alert

The Federal Reserve is balancing innovation and risk as artificial intelligence moves deeper into the global financial system today. At the Singapore FinTech Festival , a senior Fed official said banking’s fast use of AI needs clear rules to stay stable. Regulators must balance new technology with safety, making sure

Read More

The Quiet Warning Markets Aren’t Listening To

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cautioned that markets may be underestimating geopolitical and macroeconomic risks as signs of fragmentation emerge in the global financial system. At a conference in Queensland, RBA Assistant Governor Brad Jones pointed to diverging trends in how central banks manage their reserves, noting that

Read More

Bitunix Review 2025 – REAL Traders Report

            OPEN AN ACCOUNT             Bitunix Review The world of crypto trading changes fast. Every trade can make a difference, and not every crypto exchange is built the same. Some are new and bold, while others quietly focus on building trust

Read More

Markets Slip as Tech Weakness Shakes Risk Sentiment

After a wild week for tech, the U.S. stock market looks like it’s still nursing a headache. Futures for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq edged lower Thursday night, signaling a quiet start after a heavy sell-off. Source: YahooFinance The Dow Jones futures lingered under the flatline, while S&P 500

Read More

GBP/USD Slumps on Escalating Geopolitical Risks and Soft U.S. Economic Data

4.0
Overall Trust Index

Written by:

Updated:

January 20, 2025
The British Pound fell sharply against the U.S. Dollar on Tuesday, with GBP/USD dropping to its lowest level in over a week. The move came as weak U.S. economic data and escalating geopolitical tensions drove investors towards safer assets, bolstering the Greenback at the expense of riskier currencies like Sterling. The pair slipped below the 1.3300 mark, signaling a loss of momentum as global uncertainties weighed heavily on market sentiment. Geopolitical concerns were a major catalyst, with reports emerging that Iran had launched a missile strike against Israel, following Israel’s recent incursion into Lebanon. The situation quickly intensified as the United States pledged support for Israel, raising the specter of a wider conflict in the Middle East. This escalation has driven a flight to safety, with investors pulling back from riskier plays, adding pressure on the Pound while boosting the U.S. Dollar. Adding to the Pound's woes, the latest U.S. economic data failed to inspire confidence. September's ISM Manufacturing PMI remained unchanged at 47.2, falling short of expectations for a slight improvement to 47.5. The figure remains in contraction territory, reflecting ongoing challenges in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Additionally, the ISM Manufacturing Prices Paid index fell significantly to 48.3 from 54.0, indicating easing price pressures and suggesting weaker demand conditions. Despite a surge in JOLTS Job Openings to 8.04 million in August—up from the prior month's revised 7.7 million—the labor market showed signs of underlying weakness. The ISM Manufacturing Employment Index dropped to 43.9, missing forecasts and reflecting continued difficulties in converting job postings into new hires. This disconnect highlights a labor market still struggling to gain robust momentum, contributing to the mixed economic outlook. Looking ahead, Pound traders have little to focus on until the Bank of England's (BoE) Monetary Policy Report Hearings on Thursday, where any hints about future policy direction could impact sentiment. Meanwhile, the U.S. will release a series of minor economic indicators leading up to the crucial Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday. Investors are particularly cautious as data has consistently failed to meet expectations, raising questions about the strength of the U.S. economy.
GBP/USD Chart from FXStreet, TradingView as of October 1st, 2024
Technically, the GBP/USD pair faces increasing downside pressure after falling below the 1.3300 handle. The next significant support lies near the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.3100, but the path lower is unlikely to be smooth, with traders eyeing the 1.3000 level as a key battleground should bearish momentum continue. With geopolitical tensions escalating and economic data painting a lackluster picture, the British Pound finds itself on shaky ground. Investors are adopting a cautious stance, waiting for clearer signals from both the BoE and U.S. labor market data, which could provide the next major directional cues for the currency pair. For now, risk aversion and uncertainty are keeping Sterling under significant pressure.
ezekiel chew asiaforexmentor

About Ezekiel Chew

Ezekiel Chew, founder and head of training at Asia Forex Mentor, is a renowned forex expert, frequently invited to speak at major industry events. Known for his deep market insights, Ezekiel is one of the top traders committed to supporting the trading community. Making six figures per trade, he also trains traders working in banks, fund management, and prop trading firms.

RELATED ARTICLES

I consent to receiving emails and/or text message reminders for this event.

REGISTER FOR THE MASTERCLASS!