UK CPI Inflation Rises to 40 Year Highs, GBP/USD Under Pressure

  • GBPUSD
    (${instrument.percentChange}%)

Surging Inflation

The United Kingdom is troubled by extremely high inflation and today's data reveled that headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) ticked-up 9.1% in May year-over-year, compared to 9% in the prior month. This is the highest rate in the the National Statistic series, which began in January 1997, while the indicative model series suggests that CPI would last have been higher in around 1982.

What appears to be encouraging though, is that CPI rose by a small amount compared to the previous reading, while Core CPI which excludes energy prices, moderated to +5.9% year-over-year, from 6.2% prior.

In order to rein inflation in, the Bank of England (BoE) was one the first central banks to hike rates and this month it delivered its fifth increase in a row, bringing rates at 1.25% - the highest level since January 2009.

However, it once again did not break from the 25 basis point moves tradition and its conservative strategy does not seem to work, since its sees more pain ahead for consumers. During last week's monetary policy decision, it upgraded its projections, now expecting CPI inflation to rise to slightly above 11% in October. [1]

Recession Fears

The BoE may have missed a huge opportunity to front-load its tightening with larger rate increases earlier in the cycle, as fears of an economic slowdown could make future hikes more difficult. The UK economy grew at a solid pace (8.7% y/y) in the first quarter as per last month's preliminary reading, but the central bank expects GDP contraction in the last quarter of the year. [2]

Furthermore, recent monthly data have also been discouraging, since GDP shrunk by 0.3% in April (month-over-month), after a 0.1 contraction in March.
Industrial Production also declined in April, by 0.6% month-over-month, while the Unemployment Rate ticked up to 3.8%.

Trade the News: View our Economic Calendar

Of course the United Kingdom also has to deal with post-Brexit headwinds, with a study by the Resolution Foundation finding early signs that the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is reducing openness and the competitiveness of the UK. The report also concluded that headline real wages are expected to be 1.8% lower than they would be, if the UK remained in the EU. [3]

BoE-Fed Policy Differential

The Bank of England may have been raising rates since December, way before the Fed's March lift-off, but US officials have already produced 150 basis points worth of hikes. Last week, they hiked by the most in nearly thirty years, reacting to the latest resurgence in CPI Inflation.

Furthermore, they pointed to more tightening ahead and they do not seem overly worried about the contraction of the US economy in the first quarter, while the BoE seem to be more concerned about a possible recession.

More to it, the Fed talked of "unconditional" commitment to restoring price stability, in last week's report to the US Congress, ahead of today's and Wednesday's testimony of Chair Powell. [4]

GBP/USD Analysis

The policy differential is still unfavorable for the pair, given the more aggressive action and pronounced resolution to fighting inflation by the Fed, while we need to not forget the political landscape. Prime Minister Johnson may have survived the recent no-confidence vote against him, but his political future is far from secure and political uncertainty could resurface down the road.

GBP/USD did not have a big reaction to today's CPI data, perhaps as markets are cautious ahead of Mr Powell's Congress testimony, which could determine the next leg.

The downward bias remains intact and the pair is vulnerable to 1.2069, but further decline towards and beyond 1.1904 would need fresh catalyst.

On the other hand, GBP/USD managed to stage a recovery after last week's 2+ year lows and the new one started in a good mood. This gives it the right to make another push towards the EMA200 (1,2440-50), but it does not inspire confidence for sustained recovery at this stage. The technical landscape is also tough, since the daily Ichimoku Cloud and last month's high loom large.

Nikos Tzabouras

Senior Financial Editorial Writer

Nikos Tzabouras is a graduate of the Department of International & European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business. He has a long time presence at FXCM, as he joined the company in 2011. He has served from multiple positions, but specializes in financial market analysis and commentary.

With his educational background in international relations, he emphasizes not only on Technical Analysis but also in Fundamental Analysis and Geopolitics – which have been having increasing impact on financial markets. He has longtime experience in market analysis and as a host of educational trading courses via online and in-person sessions and conferences.

References

1

Retrieved 22 Jun 2022 https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2022/june-2022

2

Retrieved 22 Jun 2022 https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/may-2022

3

Retrieved 22 Jun 2022 https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/app/uploads/2022/06/The-Big-Brexit_.pdf

4

Retrieved 29 Mar 2024 https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/20220617_mprfullreport.pdf

${getInstrumentData.name} / ${getInstrumentData.ticker} /

Exchange: ${getInstrumentData.exchange}

${getInstrumentData.bid} ${getInstrumentData.divCcy} ${getInstrumentData.priceChange} (${getInstrumentData.percentChange}%) ${getInstrumentData.priceChange} (${getInstrumentData.percentChange}%)

${getInstrumentData.oneYearLow} 52/wk Range ${getInstrumentData.oneYearHigh}
Disclosure

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interests arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed here.

Past Performance: Past Performance is not an indicator of future results.

Spreads Widget: When static spreads are displayed, the figures reflect a time-stamped snapshot as of when the market closes. Spreads are variable and are subject to delay. Single Share prices are subject to a 15 minute delay. The spread figures are for informational purposes only. FXCM is not liable for errors, omissions or delays, or for actions relying on this information.