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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

GBP/USD technical analysis: client sentiment remains bullish

Retail traders remain short of GBP/USD as the post-Brexit trade talks near a point of no return. Will a deal be found?

GBP Source: Bloomberg

GBP/USD technical outlook:

  • GBP/USD rally hitting resistance near multi-month high.
  • IGCS – Retail traders are bearish but sentiment is bullish.

GBP/USD has been stair-stepping higher after making a swing low around $1.2675 on 23 September as market participants price-in a post-Brexit trade deal of some description. It is highly unlikely that an in-depth deal will be made in time, if at all, and any trade deal between the EU and the UK is likely to be minimal and just enough to prevent the two parties trading on WTO terms from the start of next year. While Sterling is expected to move higher on the announcement of a successful EU-UK trade outcome, the expected lack of clarity of this deal may well temper any substantial GBP-upside.

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GBP/USD daily chart (December 2019 – 25 November 2020)

IGCS GBP/USD chart Source: IG charts
IGCS GBP/USD chart Source: IG charts

The daily chart shows that the pair remain above all three simple moving averages, a bullish set-up, while lower highs and higher highs also suggest that the recent rally may not be finished. A close and open above the $1.3516 high should keep the market biased to the upside.

IGCS – retail remain short of GBP/USD

Retail trader data shows 36.09% of GBP/USD traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at $.77 to 1. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests GBP/USD prices may continue to rise. Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger GBP/USD-bullish contrarian trading bias.

IGCS client positioning - GBP/USD

IGCS client positioning Source: DailyFX
IGCS client positioning Source: DailyFX

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. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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