Sterling Holds Firm Near 1.33 as Volatility Looms; Technical Levels Clearly Defined

Technical Analysis:
GBP/USD demonstrated resilience into Friday's North American close, advancing 0.51% to settle at 1.3322 within a session range bounded by 1.3292–1.3333. Despite recent swings driven by shifting U.S.-China trade sentiment, sterling continues to find reliable technical support, specifically from the rising 10-day moving average at 1.3263. This moving average has consistently proven a reliable pivot point, reinforcing the underlying bullish sentiment and maintaining upward momentum amid volatile market conditions.
The pair faces immediate resistance at Thursday’s high of 1.3333, a barrier that must be convincingly cleared for bulls to regain full technical confidence. Beyond this initial hurdle, the upper 30-day Bollinger Band at 1.3392 represents the next significant upside target. More importantly, the weekly high from March 4, 2022, at 1.3437, poses a major long-term technical test. A confirmed break above this key resistance would validate a sustained bullish scenario, opening the door to an accelerated move toward multi-year highs near 1.3640, established in February 2022.
However, near-term downside risks remain clearly visible. The rising 10-day moving average at 1.3263 remains the initial line of defense; a daily close below this average could trigger additional selling pressure toward support at the April 17 low of 1.3203. Further bearish momentum may subsequently target the important 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at 1.3151, representing a significant support zone derived from the recent rally spanning from 1.2712 to 1.3423. Given the uncertain backdrop of global trade tensions and fluctuating sentiment surrounding Fed and BoE policy, GBP/USD traders should remain vigilant, closely monitoring these clearly defined technical boundaries to effectively manage risk exposure in the coming sessions.