GBP/USD also started to trade higher on Monday, which can be considered as a corrective phase, as we mentioned on Monday. The pound did not have any strong reasons to back its growth. Throughout the day, no significant reports were published, and only the speech of Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill could have caught traders' interest. However, Pill did not reveal any surprising information, in line with the recent trend among central bank officials. He also indicated that interest rates would likely have to be kept at their peak level for a very long time, and inflation continues to fall, but there are risks of its "persistent" nature. This information couldn't support or pressure the pound.
Several trading signals were formed yesterday. The price rebounded from the 1.2143-1.2154 range thrice and eventually rose to the level of 1.2188, almost reaching the critical line. The pair only managed to move more than 20 pips in the right direction after the third rebound from the specified range, so a long position should have been opened based on these three signals. It was possible to earn about 45 pips from this trade, which is quite good for a "dull Monday."
COT report:COT reports on the British pound also align perfectly with what's happening in the market. According to the latest report on GBP/USD, the non-commercial group closed 7,600 long positions and 4,200 short ones. Thus, the net position of non-commercial traders decreased by another 3,400 contracts in a week. The net position indicator has been steadily rising over the past 12 months, but it has been firmly decreasing over the past two months. The British pound is also losing ground. We have been waiting for many months for the sterling to reverse downwards. Perhaps GBP/USD is at the very beginning of a prolonged downtrend. At least in the coming months, we do not see significant prospects for the pound to rise, and even if we're currently witnessing a corrective phase, it could persist for several months.
The British pound has surged by a total of 2,800 pips from its absolute lows reached last year, which is an enormous increase. Without a strong downward correction, a further upward trend would be entirely illogical (if it is even planned). We don't rule out an extension of an uptrend. We simply believe that a substantial correction is needed first, and then we should assess the factors supporting the US dollar and the British pound. A correction to the level of 1.1844 would be enough to establish a fair balance between the two currencies. The non-commercial group currently holds a total of 66,300 longs and 76,300 shorts. The bears have been holding the upper hand in recent months, and we believe this trend will continue in the near future.
Analysis of GBP/USD 1HOn the 1H chart, GBP/USD settled below the ascending trendline but could still correct higher. We have repeatedly mentioned that we are expecting a stronger correction, which is still possible. The pair has managed to stay above the Senkou Span B line, making it possible for it to return to the last local high at 1.2330.
As of October 17, we highlight the following important levels: 1.1760, 1.1874, 1.1927-1.1965, 1.2052, 1.2109, 1.2215, 1.2269, 1.2349, 1.2429-1.2445, 1.2520, 1.2605-1.2620, and 1.2693. The Senkou Span B (1.2265) and Kijun-sen (1.2147) lines can also be sources of signals. Signals can be "bounces" and "breakouts" of these levels and lines. It is recommended to set the Stop Loss level to break-even when the price moves in the right direction by 20 pips. The Ichimoku indicator lines can move during the day, which should be taken into account when determining trading signals. The illustration also includes support and resistance levels that can be used to lock in profits from trades.
On Tuesday, investors can look to the release of relatively important UK reports on unemployment, jobless claims, and wages. There are also two relatively important reports in the US: industrial production and retail sales. Overall, we can expect an interesting day ahead.
Description of the chart:Support and resistance levels are thick red lines near which the trend may end. They do not provide trading signals;
The Kijun-sen and Senkou Span B lines are the lines of the Ichimoku indicator, plotted to the 1H timeframe from the 4H one. They provide trading signals;
Extreme levels are thin red lines from which the price bounced earlier. They provide trading signals;
Yellow lines are trend lines, trend channels, and any other technical patterns;
Indicator 1 on the COT charts is the net position size for each category of traders;
Indicator 2 on the COT charts is the net position size for the Non-commercial group