Yesterday, the pair formed several entry signals. Let’s see what happened on the 5-minute chart. In my morning review, I mentioned the level of 1.2179 as a possible entry point. A decline and false breakout at this mark produced a great buy signal, sending the pair up by almost 30 pips. In the afternoon, defending this range formed another buy signal, which made it possible for traders to take about 30 pips.

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For long positions on GBP/USD:

The bulls repeatedly fought off the bears around 1.2179, which eventually led to a breakout and a new GBP/USD sell-off. Strong US data exerted downward pressure on the pair. In the absence of UK economic reports, GBP/USD will likely remain under pressure. Considering that the bulls have a good chance of pushing the pair outside the sideways channel, I plan to buy after a false breakout near 1.2106, where the pound is heading now. In this case, it’s best to act around the nearest resistance at 1.2142, which formed at the end of the Asian session. A breakout and consolidation above this range will boost buyers’ confidence, making it possible to update 1.2172, which is in line with the bearish moving averages. The more distant target will be 1.2207 area, where I’d be taking profits. If the pair declines to 1.2106 without buyer activity, only a false breakout near the next support at 1.2071 will signal opening long positions. I plan to instantly buy GBP/USD on a bounce from the October low of 1.2038, aiming for an intraday correction of 30-35 pips.

For short positions on GBP/USD:

The bears renewed the weekly low and now the whole focus is on whether the bulls will emerge in the 1.2106 area or not. Today, it is crucial to defend the resistance level at 1.2142. A false breakout at this level will produce a sell signal, which could push the pair towards the support level at 1.2106. Breaching this level and an upward retest will deal a more serious blow to the bulls’ positions, providing a window to aim for 1.2071. The more distant target will be 1.2038, where I’d be taking profits. If GBP/USD grows and there are no bears at 1.2142, the demand for the pound will return and the bulls will have a chance to return the pair to the sideways channel, albeit slightly broken. In such a scenario, I will refrain from going short until a false breakout at 1.2172. If downward movement stalls there, one can sell the British pound on a bounce from 1.2207, bearing in mind a 30-35-pips downward intraday correction.

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COT report:

In the COT (Commitment of Traders) report for October 10, we see a decrease in both long and short positions. This suggests that traders made slight adjustments to their positions ahead of a rather important US inflation report released at the end of the previous week. Given that US prices continue to rise, it’s likely to negatively impact the Federal Reserve and its decisions regarding interest rates. So, despite the pound’s recent attempts at correcting higher, it could end with another sell-off and the pair could fall to new monthly lows. This week, there are quite a number of Federal Reserve officials who are scheduled to speak, which will serve as an important reference point. The latest COT report said that long non-commercial positions fell by 7,621 to 66,290, while short non-commercial positions dropped by 4,253 to 76,338. As a result, the spread between long and short positions narrowed by 836. The weekly price reached 1.2284 versus 1.2091 in the previous week.

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Indicator signals:

Moving Averages

Trading below the 30- and 50-day moving averages indicates a possible decline in the pair.

Please note that the time period and levels of the moving averages are analyzed only for the H1 chart, which differs from the general definition of the classic daily moving averages on the D1 chart.

Bollinger Bands

If the pair declines, the lower band of the indicator near 1.2106 will act as support.

Description of indicators:

• A moving average of a 50-day period determines the current trend by smoothing volatility and noise; marked in yellow on the chart;

• A moving average of a 30-day period determines the current trend by smoothing volatility and noise; marked in green on the chart;

• MACD Indicator (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence) Fast EMA with a 12-day period; Slow EMA with a 26-day period. SMA with a 9-day period;

• Bollinger Bands: 20-day period;

• Non-commercial traders are speculators such as individual traders, hedge funds, and large institutions who use the futures market for speculative purposes and meet certain requirements;

• Long non-commercial positions represent the total number of long positions opened by non-commercial traders;

• Short non-commercial positions represent the total number of short positions opened by non-commercial traders;

• The non-commercial net position is the difference between short and long positions of non-commercial traders.

The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com

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