The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the domestic economy expanded at a robust annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter. This figure significantly outperformed market expectations of 3.3% and surpassed the previous estimate of 3.8%. Accompanying this strong growth, inflation metrics within the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report remained firm: the GDP Price Index rose by 3.7%, while Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) increased by 2.9%, with core PCE prices climbing 2.8%.
Despite this vigorous growth, the manufacturing sector exhibited signs of cooling. Durable Goods Orders fell by 2.2% in October, reversing a prior gain of 0.7%. Excluding defense, orders dropped by 1.5%, and while orders excluding transportation saw a marginal 0.2% increase, overall Industrial Production slipped by 0.1% month-over-month. In contrast, the housing market showed unexpected strength; data from the National Association of Realtors revealed that Pending Home Sales rose by 3.3% in November, marking their highest level since early 2023.
The Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps) at its December meeting, bringing the target range to 3.50%–3.75%. This marks a cumulative reduction of 75 bps in 2025 as the central bank navigates a cooling labor market and persistent inflation. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are now pricing in an accelerated easing cycle, with traders anticipating at least two additional cuts by the end of September 2026.
Market participants anticipate that the Bank of England (BoE) will adopt a cautious approach toward monetary easing throughout 2026. In its most recent meeting, the institution cut interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the rate to 3.75%, while making it clear that any further adjustments would be implemented progressively.
This moderate stance is closely linked to the fact that inflation in the United Kingdom remains uncomfortably elevated. Although the headline index retreated to 3.2% in November from its September peak of 3.8%, it remains significantly above the central bank’s 2% target. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey recently suggested that the room for maneuver regarding further cuts may narrow as the policy stance approaches neutral levels. Consequently, future decisions will be heavily contingent on the evolution of macroeconomic data.
Looking toward 2026, the BoE’s trajectory will be strictly tied to the performance of the British labor market and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Throughout 2025, employment demand remained soft as many firms chose to halt hiring to offset the increase in social security contributions—a structural factor that could continue to hinder overall economic growth.

Technical Analysis
The GBP/USD pair recently retraced to the 200-period Moving Average (MA), currently situated at 1.3452. This specific price zone is attracting significant interest because it represents a classic support-resistance flip; a level that previously functioned as a ceiling is now being tested as a technical floor.
The fact that this area is holding suggests that the prevailing bullish trend still possesses sufficient underlying strength to continue. On the 1-hour chart, the 100-period MA is located at 1.3500. When this level was breached to the downside, it effectively triggered the corrective move toward the 200-period MA. If this support holds firm, we could witness a renewed impulse toward the 1.3560 zone, which aligns with the 0.50 Fibonacci expansion. In technical terms, this means the next bullish leg could achieve a magnitude equal to 50% of the primary impulse.
Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is rapidly approaching oversold territory, this condition could exert upward pressure, as the combination of key interest zones and momentum indicators suggest that the bullish trend remains the primary force. Notably, the RSI has shed significant levels even though the price has not made an equivalently large move to the downside, indicating exhaustion in the bearish momentum and granting bulls an opportunity to reclaim control. However, a forceful break below the current support level would clear the path for a deeper correction, putting the overall bullish trend in doubt.
Trading Recommendations
Trading direction: Buy
Entry price: 1.3454
Target price: 1.3400
Stop loss: 1.3560
Validity: Jan 09, 2025 15:00:00