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GBP/USD Outlook March 12-16

GBP/USD  dropped 150 pips,  closing the week at 1.5675 level.  The upcoming week has four releases. Here is an outlook for the upcoming events, and an updated technical analysis for GBP/USD.

US non-farm payrolls posted strong numbers in January and February, helping the dollar rally. Meanwhile, economic data coming out of the UK continued to unimpress the markets.

Updates: PPI Input jumped 2.1%, a nine-month high. Manufacturing Production was flat,  rising just  0.1%. Trade Balance dropped to -7.5B. CB Leading Index was up 0.9%, its highest level since May 2010.  Unemployment Claimant Count Change  was up 7.2K, a five-month high. The unemployment rate remained steady at 8.4%. Average Earnings Index rose by 1.7%, its lowest reading since August 2010. GBP/USD dropped below 1.57, trading at 1.5666.

GBP/USD graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:  

 

  1. RICS House Price Balance: Tuesday, 12:01.  This  diffusion index is  based on a survey of property surveyors. The  February  reading came in at a weak  -16%. The market forecast for March  calls for a slight improvement, to -13%. This figure, although indicative of   continuing contraction in the housing sector, would actually be the index’s highest reading in almost two years. Traders should note that the market forecasts are usually, though not always, accurate.
  2. Trade Balance: Tuesday, 9:30. The  UK  trade balance  recorded a 7.1B deficit in February,  which was much better than the 8.5B deficit predicted by the market. The March forecast calls for a higher deficit, of 7.8B. Will the index again beat the market prediction?
  3. CB Leading Index: Tuesday, 10:00. This composite index is based on  seven economic indicators. The  index has been stuck in negative territory  since September 2011. The  February reading came in at -0.5%, and no significant change is expected for the March reading.
  4. Claimant Count Change: Wednesday, 9:30. Unemployment claims shot up 6.9K, disappointing the markets which had predicted a rise of 3.2K. The forecast for March is little changed, with a prediction of a rise of 6.9K. The unemployment rate in February stood at 8.4%, and the forecast for March is unchanged.

* All times are GMT.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

Pound/dollar started  the week at 1.5830.  The pair then rose  to a high of 1.5882, as the resistance line of 1.59 (discussed last week)  held firm.The pair then  dropped sharply,  falling as low as 1.5661. Pound/dollar closed the week at 1.5674.

Technical levels from top to bottom

We  begin  with  the strong resistance level of 1.6265. Next, 1.6132 has also provided strong resistance, since November 2011. Below, there is resistance at 1.6065. Next,  there is strong resistance at 1.5987, just shy of the  psychologically important line of 1.60.  This is followed by  the round number of 1.59, which is currently a weak resistance line.  Below, 1.5750, which was breached by the pair on its downswing this week,  is now providing  resistance to GBP/USD. Next, 1.5696 is providing weak resistance, and could be breached again on an upward swing by the pair. This is followed by 1.5629, which  has held fast as a support line since late January. Next, 1.5520 is providing support.  Below is  the round number of 1.54, which served as strong support in November and December 2011,  and is again  providing support to the pair. The final support line for now is at 1.5336.

I remain  neutral on  GBP/USD.

GBP/USD  was pointed downward this week,  as the dollar  showed some strength. However,  the pair has been  quite choppy,  which could continue until the financial crisis in the eurozone, particularly in Greece, settles down.

Further reading:

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher - Senior Writer A native of Toronto, Canada, Kenneth worked for seven years in the marketing and trading departments at Bendix, a foreign exchange company in Toronto. Kenneth is also a lawyer, and has extensive experience as an editor and writer.