1. Home
  2. Markets Updates
  3. GBP/USD Faces Key Resistance at 1.3428: Will Bulls Break Through or Stall?

GBP/USD Faces Key Resistance at 1.3428: Will Bulls Break Through or Stall?

8 May 2025

Share the article:

image - 2025-05-08T162118.338.png

Past performance is not indicative of future results. All historical data, including but not limited to returns, volatility, and other performance metrics, should not be construed as a guarantee of future performance.    

 

 

GBPUSD on a daily timeframe 

 

GBPUSD on a daily timeframe shows a significant recovery from its late-2024 lows, with price action rebounding from the 1.2200 area and advancing toward the 1.3428 resistance. Over the past several months, the pair has tested and respected several simple moving averages (SMAs), particularly the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day SMAs, which are marked with red circles on the chart. These tests illustrate the market's awareness of technical structure, with each pullback into the SMAs acting as a launchpad for higher prices as bullish sentiment gradually returned to the pair. 
 

More recently, the price has entered a tight consolidation range between approximately 1.3254 and 1.3428, shown by the highlighted yellow box on the chart. This range-bound behavior suggests indecision at elevated levels, possibly ahead of key macroeconomic catalysts. Despite the overall uptrend, the lack of breakout from this box indicates a pause in momentum as market participants await clarity on future direction. The horizontal movement within this box has lasted for several weeks, reflecting equilibrium between buying and selling interest. 
 

From an indicator perspective, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains neutral at 54.33, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions. The Stochastic Oscillator, however, reveals a bearish divergence — while the price has been forming higher highs within the consolidation zone, the oscillator has been forming lower highs. This discrepancy suggests waning momentum and raises the possibility of a short-term pullback or correction if price fails to decisively break above the current resistance range. 
 

The primary scenario envisions a breakout above the 1.3428 resistance zone, targeting the next key level at 1.3600. This would represent a continuation of the bullish trend, supported by the recent golden cross of shorter-term SMAs over longer-term ones. A decisive move above 1.3428 on strong volume would override the bearish divergence and reinforce the prevailing bullish structure heading into the summer months. 
 

Alternatively, a failure to break above 1.3428 followed by a drop below the 1.3254 support line would open the door for a correction toward 1.3074 or even 1.2869, the latter being near the 200-day SMA. Given the proximity of the price to several major moving averages, this scenario would likely coincide with a reversion to mean if bullish momentum falters. This is particularly plausible if upcoming economic data underperforms or geopolitical risks escalate. 
 

GBPUSD stands at a critical juncture, with today's Bank of England decision and potential US-UK trade announcement representing pivotal short-term catalysts. The currency pair has demonstrated resilience despite expectations for monetary policy divergence, with the BoE likely cutting rates while the Fed maintains its cautious stance. Looking ahead, market participants should monitor upcoming inflation reports from both economies, UK growth data, and further developments in global trade relations, particularly as they relate to US tariff policies. While technical indicators suggest some potential for continued upside, the fundamental landscape remains complex, with policy decisions on both sides of the Atlantic likely to drive significant volatility in the weeks ahead. 
 

  • Summary: 
    GBPUSD Recovery: Strong rebound from 1.2200 lows, testing 1.3428 resistance. 
  • Consolidation Range: Currently ranging between 1.3254–1.3428, indicating indecision. 
  • Technical Indicators: Neutral RSI, bearish divergence in Stochastic Oscillator suggesting potential pullback. 
  • Breakout Scenario: A breakout above 1.3428 could target 1.3600, supported by SMA golden cross. 
  • Key Catalysts: Bank of England decision and US-UK trade updates could drive significant volatility. 
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Any news, opinions, research, analyses, prices or other information contained in this article are provided 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 therefore, it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Past performance is not an indication of possible future performance. Any action you take upon the information in this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of this article.
RISK WARNING: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail client investors lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Related articles

SPX500 Gears for 6000 Breakout: Hidden Bullish Divergence & EMA Support Intact
5 June 2025
SPX500 consolidates below 6000 with bullish structure intact. Hidden divergence and EMA support suggest breakout potential.

Read more

XAUUSD Coils Between 3170 and 3300: Is a Breakout Brewing?
29 May 2025
XAUUSD faces a critical test as gold trades between key levels of 3170 and 3300. Explore the latest price action, technical signals, and what traders should watch ahead of the upcoming U.S. inflation data.

Read more

Gold’s Tug of War: Bulls Fight for $3,300 Breakout
22 May 2025
Gold hovers near $3,300 resistance as momentum wavers. Key support levels and geopolitical risks shape XAUUSD’s short-term outlook in 2025.

Read more

Need Help? Visit our Help Section
Download NAGA Trader

Copyright © 2024 – All rights reserved.

NAGA is a trademark of The NAGA Group AG, a German based FinTech company publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange | WKN: A161NR | ISIN: DE000A161NR7.

The website is operated by JME Financial Services (Pty) Ltd an authorised Financial Services Provider, regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa under license no. 37166. JME Financial Services (Pty) Ltd is located at Suite 10, 21 Lighthouse Rd 201 Beacon Rock, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal, 4320, South Africa.

JME Financial Services (Pty) Ltd acts as an intermediary between the investor and NAGA Capital Ltd, the counterparty to the contract for difference purchased by the Investor via Naga.com/za. NAGA Capital Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) under licence No. SD026. NAGA Capital Ltd is the principal to the CFD purchased by investors on this website. Other group entities: NAGA Markets Europe LTD which is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under licence No. 204/13.

RISK WARNING: Derivatives are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how derivatives work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The value of financial products can increase as well as decrease over time, depending on the value of the underlying securities and market conditions. Illustrations, forecasts or hypothetical data are not guaranteed and are provided for illustrative purposes only. JME Financial Services (Pty) Ltd does not render advice in respect of the CFD’s offered on this website. Before making an investment decision, you should rely on your own assessment. The Company’s disclaimer, conflict of interest policy are available on legal documents section.

Trading with NAGA Trader by following and/or copying or replicating the trades of other traders involves high levels of risks, even when following and/or copying or replicating the top-performing traders. Such risks include the risk that you may be following/copying the trading decisions of possibly inexperienced/unprofessional traders, or traders whose ultimate purpose or intention, or financial status may differ from yours. Before making an investment decision, you should rely on your own assessment of the person making the trading decisions and the terms of all the legal documentation.