empty
04.11.2022 08:56 AM
Pound lost 200 points even though the Bank of England raised rates

Pound lost more than 250 points from its intraday high this afternoon after the Bank of England posted its most aggressive rate hike in 33 years. In normal times, this would have led to a record rise of GBP/USD, but now things are very different: after the rate hike, the bank said it is revising its expectations for further increases, warning that if it followed an aggressive path, everything would lead to a two-year recession.

This image is no longer relevant

The Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to raise rates by 75 basis points to 3%, the highest level in 14 years. However, the summary indicated that the peak would be lower than markets are expecting. This is because maintaining the aggressive path presented in recent forecasts, where the rate peaks at around 5.25% next year, will lead to a 3% decline in GDP and eventually a recession. The new forecast, based on rates remaining at the current 3%, suggests a shorter and shallower recession and expects inflation to return to its target in two years. In other words, the Bank of England has made it clear that it no longer intends to pursue an aggressive monetary policy.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey also talked about the mortgage market, indicating that he is excited over what is going on there. The rapid hike in interest rates has sent mortgage prices up to 6% in recent weeks, compared to around 1% at the end of last year when the Bank of England began to tighten policy. This is why pound fell sharply even though interest rates were increased. Bailey's statements about future policy stand in stark contrast to that of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, who said that US rates are likely to be higher than markets expect. The difference in the course of central bank policies resulted in a major sell-off in GBP/USD.

This image is no longer relevant

UK government bonds also fell after the decision of the Bank of England. Investors have revised their outlook on future UK rates, expecting a high of around 4.75%.

Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt also backed the central bank's decision, saying it was critical to get inflation under control. He expressed sympathy for households struggling with higher borrowing costs.

As for the technical picture of GBP/USD, after the collapse of more than 200 points during the Asian session, there was a slight correction. Now, buyers are focused on defending the support level of 1.1200 and breaking through the resistance level of 1.1260. Only a break of 1.1260 will return the prospects for growth to 1.1330 and 1.1400, after which it will be possible to see a sharper upward spurt of pound to 1.1490. Pressure will return if sellers take control of 1.1200. Its breakdown will push the quote back to 1.1140, then to 1.1060.

In EUR/USD, sellers took control of the market, prompting a new wave of decline. To change this, traders need to return the pair above 0.9790 as only by that will the quote move towards 0.9840 and beyond. However, upward prospects will depend entirely on the reaction of markets to data on the US labor market. If selling pressure persists, the pair will fall below 0.9745, then go to the next low of 0.9700. It could also drop to 0.9630 and 0.9590.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Gold Rebounds as Fiscal Risks Resurface

Gold is swinging between extremes as spring draws to a close. The week ending May 16 was the worst for the precious metal due to optimism that, following a trade

Marek Petkovich 17:31 2025-05-23 UTC+2

AUD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

Today, the AUD/JPY pair has started to attract buying interest, halting its pullback from the monthly high as demand for the Australian dollar emerges. Today's talks between U.S. Deputy Secretary

Irina Yanina 17:25 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The pair is trending lower, dropping close to the key psychological level of 1.3800 amid broad-based U.S. dollar weakness. Traders have raised their expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following

Irina Yanina 16:43 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD declares war on EUR

What's new is often just what's been forgotten. As spring draws to a close, the long-dismissed mantra "sell America" is making a comeback in markets. The phrase gained traction following

Marek Petkovich 14:59 2025-05-23 UTC+2

USD/JPY: what happens with yen?

The USD/JPY pair is experiencing heightened price turbulence. At the end of April, the pair sharply declined, hitting a 7-month low at 139.90. Then, last week, a northbound impulse pushed

Irina Manzenko 13:52 2025-05-23 UTC+2

Market Chaos to Continue (There is a likelihood of continued local declines in #USDX and gold prices)

Markets continue to act blindly amid the chaotic actions of Donald Trump, who is trying to pull the U.S. out of a deep, all-encompassing crisis like Baron Munchausen pulling himself

Pati Gani 10:19 2025-05-23 UTC+2

The Market Tucks Its Tail

A necessary project at the wrong time. The House of Representatives has approved Donald Trump's tax cut initiative. The President hopes it will help stimulate the economy and offset shortcomings

Marek Petkovich 09:29 2025-05-23 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 23: No Talks, but Hang in There

On Thursday, the GBP/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly, but like EUR/USD, it has been rising for two weeks. At first glance, one might wonder what reasons traders have

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 23: The Rebellion Against the Dollar Continues

The EUR/USD currency pair traded relatively calmly on Thursday, yet it has risen significantly over the past two weeks. This movement can be interpreted in several ways. From a technical

Paolo Greco 08:15 2025-05-23 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 23? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic reports are scheduled for Friday. Only two are noteworthy: the final estimate of Germany's Q1 GDP and April's UK retail sales data. The German GDP report

Paolo Greco 05:58 2025-05-23 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.