GBP/USD uptrend slowing, rising short bets could bode well
GBP/USD extended gains above the 2007 trendline, but momentum is fading. Recent shifts in retail trader positioning hint that sterling could resume its advance.
GBP/USD technical analysis: talking points
- GBP/USD extends climb above the 2007 trendline
- Retail trader positioning shows Sterling may gain
- March 2020 trendline and 100-day SMA in focus
British pound technicals
On the weekly chart, GBP/USD extended gains after pushing above a key falling trendline dating back to 2007, as expected. However, prices were unable to pierce through peaks from 2018, making for a key zone of resistance between $1.4278 and $1.4377. While there has been a near-term pullback, the 20-week simple moving average (SMA) seems to be maintaining the upside focus for the time being.
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GBP/USD weekly chart
Zooming in on the daily chart shows a more cautious picture. GBP/USD broke under rising support from March 2020. But, prices established support at $1.3671 and turned back higher to retest the trendline. The 100-day SMA also kept the dominant focus to the upside. So with that in mind, pushing back above rising support could open the door to retesting the February peak. Otherwise, the pair may turn lower and retest the 100-day SMA. Taking out the latter could bring the focus back to the $1.3396–$1.3515 inflection zone.
GBP/USD daily chart
GBP/USD IG client sentiment outlook
Meanwhile, IG client sentiment (IGCS), which is typically a contrarian indicator, seems to paint a rosy picture for the British pound ahead. It showed that on 21 April, about 38% of retail traders were net-long GBP/USD. Downside exposure had increased by 7.02% and 57.43% over a daily and weekly period, respectively.
This is as upside bets decreased by 2.15% and 43.95% over identical timeframes. The fact that traders are net short suggests that the pair may continue to rise, and recent changes in sentiment offer a stronger GBP/USD bullish contrarian trading bias. From a psychological perspective, this could mean a scenario where traders continue to increasingly bet on topping as prices climb.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
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