Pound Sterling (GBP) is soft, down a modest 0.2% vs. the US Dollar (USD) and a mid-performer among the G10 currencies, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
"UK PM Starmer’s response to trade tensions appears to be centered around domestic measures targeting regulation reforms and tax breaks for sectors impacted by the US tariffs. Rate expectations have also shifted, with markets moving to price in a full 25bps cut for the BoE’s May 8 meeting, adding about 5bps over the past week or so."
"The loss of rate support adds to near-term downside risk for GBP. GBP/USD’s sharp reversal of last week’s delivered a break of its one-month range and a push to fresh local lows in the mid/lower-1.28s. The RSI has drifted below 50, in bearish territory, and there doesn’t appear to be any clear support ahead of the lower 1.27s."