GBP/USD: price today and what moves it

GBP/USD, known as “cable”, shows how many dollars one pound sterling costs. It is a major pair: liquid, with somewhat wider moves than EUR/USD and very sensitive to Bank of England decisions.

GBP/USD · GBPUSD

1.33273

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What is GBP/USD?

GBP/USD, known as “cable”, shows how many dollars one pound sterling costs. It is a major pair: liquid, with somewhat wider moves than EUR/USD and very sensitive to Bank of England decisions.

What moves the price

  • Bank of England versus the Fed

    Rate expectations for both central banks set the pair's underlying direction.

  • UK inflation

    UK CPI has been particularly persistent, and each release can shift bets on the BoE.

  • Jobs and wages

    UK wage growth feeds services inflation and monetary policy.

  • Fiscal policy

    Budgets and the cost of UK government debt (gilts) can affect sterling.

Check earnings and news against their publication dates, the economic calendar, liquidity and contract specifications. These factors explain risks; they do not alone determine a buy or sell decision.

When it moves the most

Forex opens on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and closes on Friday at 5:00 p.m. New York time. Liquidity concentrates in the London session and especially in its overlap with New York (roughly 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. New York time).

Data and events to watch

  • Bank of England decisions
  • UK CPI
  • UK jobs and wages
  • US nonfarm payrolls and CPI
  • UK PMI

Before deciding

Define entry, invalidation and maximum loss. Size the position using tick value in your account currency. Include costs and check the quote before transferring levels from another provider.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is GBP/USD called “cable”?

After the 19th-century transatlantic telegraph cable that carried the exchange rate between London and New York.

How much is a pip worth in GBP/USD?

A pip is 0.0001. With 1 standard lot each pip is worth $10; with 0.10 lots, $1.

When does sterling move the most?

At the London open (around 3:00 a.m. New York time), during the New York overlap and on UK data, usually released early in the London morning.

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