In my morning forecast, I focused on the level of 1.2623 and planned to make decisions based on it for market entry. Let's look at the 5-minute chart and figure out what happened there. There was a decline, but we never reached the test and formed a false breakout. Therefore, suitable entry points into the market were not obtained. The technical picture remained unchanged for the second half of the day.

To open long positions on GBP/USD:

In the absence of UK statistics, pound buyers were less active than the day before. In the second half of the day, attention should be paid to the figures for changes in durable goods orders and the consumer confidence index in the USA. An increase in consumer confidence due to a stable economy could bring demand back to the dollar, leading to a fairly decent decline in the pair, returning the pound to the bearish market framework from which buyers are currently trying to break out. In the event of a downward movement of the pair, only the formation of a false breakout around 1.2623, where moving averages intersect, will provide an entry point for growth towards the resistance at 1.2673, formed at the end of last week. A breakout and test of this range from top to bottom will strengthen the chances of further recovery of GBP/USD, leading to new purchases and allowing it to reach 1.2708. If the pair moves above this range, it could indicate a surge towards 1.2756, where I plan to take a profit. In the scenario of a GBP/USD decline and the absence of buyers at 1.2623 in the second half of the day, everything depends on the US data; sellers will have a chance for a larger pound drop toward the monthly minimum of 1.2576. Buying will only be considered on a false breakout. Opening long positions on GBP/USD on a rebound can be considered from 1.2535, with a target correction of 30-35 points within the day.

To open short positions on GBP/USD:

Bears also have a chance to further establish a trend but to do this; they need to regain control of the market. The formation of a false breakout around the new resistance at 1.2673 will convince traders of the presence of major sellers, providing an entry point for short positions targeting a decline and a test of support at 1.2623, which we failed to reach in the first half of the day. A breakout and reverse test from the bottom to the top of this range will increase pressure on the pair, giving bears an advantage and another entry point for selling towards a retest of 1.2576, where I expect more active buyer involvement. The ultimate target will be the minimum at 1.2535, where I will take a profit. In the scenario of GBP/USD growth and the absence of bears at 1.2673 in the second half of the day, bulls will have a chance to continue the upward correction towards the resistance at 1.2708. I will also wait for a false breakout there before considering selling. If there is no activity there as well, I advise opening short positions on GBP/USD from 1.2756, counting on a pair rebound downwards by 30-35 points within the day.

In the COT report (Commitment of Traders) for March 19, there was a sharp reduction in both long and short positions. The results of the Bank of England meeting were quite expected, and against this background, it could be more problematic to talk about a return in demand for the British pound. The soft position of the regulator, which becomes more and more evident with each meeting, harms the British pound, while the US dollar is in demand due to the Federal Reserve's tough stance. After the meeting, expectations that rates in the UK may be lowered much earlier increased, putting more pressure on the British pound. According to the latest COT report, long non-commercial positions decreased by 20,680 to 102,605, while short non-commercial positions fell by 3,429 to 49,405. As a result, the spread between long and short positions decreased by 13,803.

Indicator Signals:

Moving Averages:

Trading is conducted above the 30 and 50-day moving averages, indicating further pair growth.

Note: The period and prices of moving averages are considered by the author on the H1 hourly chart and differ from the general definition of classical daily moving averages on the D1 daily chart.

Bollinger Bands:

In case of a decline, the lower boundary of the indicator will act as support around 1.2625.

Description of Indicators:

• Moving average (MA): Determines the current trend by smoothing out volatility and noise. Period 50. Marked in yellow on the chart.
• Moving average (MA): Determines the current trend by smoothing out volatility and noise. Period 30. Marked in green on the chart.
• MACD Indicator (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence): Fast EMA period 12. Slow EMA period 26. SMA period 9.
• Bollinger Bands: Period 20.
• Non-commercial traders - speculators, such as individual traders, hedge funds, and large institutions, use the futures market for speculative purposes and meet certain requirements.
• Long non-commercial positions represent the total number of long open positions held by non-commercial traders.
• Short non-commercial positions represent the total number of short open positions held by non-commercial traders.
• The total non-commercial net position is the difference between the short and long positions of non-commercial traders.